The Wolf Administration announced that $800,000 in new grant funding was approved to assist Swatara Township in Dauphin County with the first phase of its Bishop Park project.
"Today, we are here to announce a significant investment in a wonderful park plan that will fill a critical need in this community," Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Lauren Imgrund said. "We look forward to seeing the impact this park and its amenities will have in Swatara Township and for Dauphin County. As the state's leader in outdoor recreation, we at DCNR are proud to support this project and others like it across the commonwealth."
The funding will go toward development of a playground, pickleball court, internal loop trail, parking area, dog park, and other site improvements. The park will be located in a highly traveled pedestrian area near Swatara Middle School and employment centers, filling critical gaps for passive recreation opportunities.
"Dauphin County Commissioners, Swatara Township, and our commissioners place a high priority on providing park facilities to members of the community as well as our visitors," Swatara Township Assistant Manager Kim Kaufman said. "The park that we are announcing today will provide new amenities to an area of the township that has been underserved by recreational opportunities. We are delighted to work with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in supplying the funds to make this project a reality."
DCNR provides grants to myriad projects across the commonwealth annually, including a $70 million investment during the 2021-22 fiscal year. Its Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants can fund:
- Planning, acquisition, and development of public parks and recreation areas
- Motorized and non-motorized trails
- River conservation and access
- Heritage areas and facilities
- Conservation of critical habitat, natural areas and open space
Eligible applicants for these grants include counties, municipalities, municipal agencies, nonprofit organizations, state heritage areas, prequalified land trusts, and for-profit enterprises. Grant funding for the program comes from a variety of state funding sources including:
- Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund
- Environmental Stewardship Fund
- ATV and Snowmobile Management Restricted Accounts
- Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program
- Federal sources including the Recreational Trails Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund
DCNR selects the most appropriate funding source based on the applicant and proposed project.
Pennsylvania has more than 6,100 local parks. Under the administration of Governor Tom Wolf, DCNR has awarded more than $342 million in grants to 1,965 projects across the commonwealth.
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