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Logan Township will receive a $600,000 Community Conservation Partnership Program grant for further development of Strawberry Hills Park in Logan Township, according to a list of grant recipients released Wednesday. The Logan Township funds are earmarked for construction of a concession stand and pedestrian walkways, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related improvements at the park that is currently under construction on the 100-acre Strawberry Hills tract west of Juniata.
In addition to the Strawberry Hills grant, a second Blair County project will receive funding through the same program.
Frankstown Township Board of Supervisors will receive $250,000 for further development of Frankstown Township Memorial Park. The funds will go toward construction of pedestrian walkways, installation of play equipment with safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, according to a news release.
Community Conservation Partnership Program grants -- totaling $81 million -- were announced Wednesday by Gov. Josh Shapiro and DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn while the two visited the future site of Swatara Crossings Park in Dauphin County.
In all, 306 recreation and conservation projects across 60 counties received funding to improve parks and playgrounds, build and repair trails, conserve open space, restore rivers and watersheds and grow local economies through outdoor recreation.
"Pennsylvania's parks and trails give us a place to make memories with our families, take a breath and lower our blood pressure, and just enjoy nature. Our investments are helping Pennsylvania communities improve their parks, build new trails, and help more people enjoy the benefits of nature in every corner of our commonwealth," Shapiro said.
"Investing in these projects opens the door for more people to experience the parks, rivers and trails that make Pennsylvania such a special place to live," Dunn added.
Bedford County
In Bedford County, Everett Borough will receive $859,000 for development of Everett Borough Park. Work on that project will include construction of a pavilion and pedestrian walkways, installation of interpretive signs, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and related site improvements.
Londonderry Township, also in Bedford County, will receive $397,300 to be used as payment toward the acquisition of about 349 acres of land as an addition to State Game Lands 104.
Cambria County
The Nature Conservancy will receive $351,800 as payment toward the acquisition of about 244 acres of land in West Taylor Township. The land will be added to Gallitzin State Forest, according to the news release.
In addition, the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority will receive $120,000 for development of Johnstown City Park. Work there will include construction of an amphitheater and pedestrian walkway, fencing, utilities, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and related site improvements.
Centre County
ClearWater Conservancy of Central PA Inc. will receive $95,800 for installation of about 5.5 acres of meadows and/or upland trees on nonprofit lands along Spring Creek. Work will include landowner outreach and engagement, watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishments, project sign and related site improvements.
ClearWater Conservancy will also receive a $49,700 grant to prepare a master site development plan for the 149-acre Rhonymeade property in Potter Township.
Patton Township will receive $300,000 for further development of Gray's Woods Park, with work to include construction of a pavilion, walkways, boardwalk, play equipment, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and related improvements.
State College Borough will receive $377,200 for rehabilitation and further development of High Point Park. That work is to include rehabilitation of a basketball court, tennis court, access drive and parking area, construction of a comfort station and walkway, fencing, utilities, ADA access, landscaping, sign and other improvements.
A ClearWater Conservancy project that spans both Centre and Huntingdon counties will receive $246,200 for installation of about 8 acres of multifunctional riparian forest buffer in the Susquehanna River Watershed. Work will include landowner outreach and engagement, buffer plantings and post-planting establishment, project sign and other related improvements.
Another ClearWater Conservancy project, this one spanning Centre, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties, for $455,200, goes toward development of Rothrock State Forest trails. The funds will be used for construction of about 8 miles of trail, rehabilitation of about 1.7 miles of trail, ADA access, landscaping, signs and other related site improvements.
Huntingdon
Mill Creek Borough in Huntingdon County will receive $250,000 for rehabilitation and further development of Mill Creek Park, with work to include renovation of the basketball court, construction of a pavilion, internal loop trail, play equipment, ADA access, landscaping, sign and additional site improvements.
Regional grants
Somerset County will receive $250,000 for rehabilitation of the Bollman Bridge on the Great Allegheny Passage in Summit Township. The bridge is located at mile market 30.3, with site work to include ADA access, landscaping and other improvements.
Another grant recipient with regional ties includes the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, which will receive $199,900 to update the County Natural Heritage Inventory for Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties.
The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Inc. will receive $576,100 to manage the heritage area and heritage area initiatives, including the 2027 mini-grant program and support the Lincoln Highway Experience Museum in Unity Township. In addition, the grant will be used to develop a marketing and communications plan and conserve roadside assets.
The Lincoln Highway, Route 30, goes through Bedford County, where roadside assets include the historic Coffee Pot and Dunkle's Gas Station buildings, along with the Pied Piper in Schellsburg. In addition, metal sculptures, murals and painted gas pumps can be found at various points along the Lincoln Highway in Pennsylvania, part of a program to highlight the famed road during previous projects.
Among the grants announced Wednesday is a $250,000 grant for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to coordinate urban and community forestry in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, engage communities in planting trees and building local tree stewardship capacity in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Blair, Cambria, Erie, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.
Across the states, grants were announced for biking and hiking trails, coldwater trout streams, river conservation and more.
A full list of grant recipients can be found at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/programs-and-services/grants/community-conservation-partnerships-program-grants.