Whitpain, Hatfield Parks Get Huge Conservation Funds From State

Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Governor Wolf have announced an investment of $28 million for 176 parks projects across the state, including Whitpain, Hatfield, and several other locations in Montgomery County.

“Our communities thrive economically when people want to stay and businesses want to grow and these beautiful public spaces and new recreational areas help improve the quality of life across our commonwealth,” Governor Wolf said in a press release.

Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn made the announcement at the site of a future trail in the borough of Homestead that will connect the town to the revered the Great Allegheny Passage.

“Just as Governor Wolf supports sound investments that translate into revitalized communities and job growth, Homestead has rallied around three projects that will benefit from DCNR grants being announced today,” Dunn said. “Its efforts exemplify the driving force behind DCNR’s grants program -- that the health and vitality of a community is reflected in the quality of its parks and trails, access to rivers, open spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Officials said the grants throughout the state “help communities protect and enhance their natural amenities.”

“Whether in Allegheny or Montgomery County, local parks are as diverse as the populations they serve,” Dunn said, “but they face similar challenges -- limited funding, aging infrastructure, maintenance needs and reduced capacity to carry out programs and services. These funds offer a helping hand to achieve projects countless studies show community residents want.”

In Montgomery County, both Whitpain and Hatfield were among the beneficiaries.

Hatfield will receive $23,000 for Clemens Park, while Whitpain will get $22,500 for Center Square Park.

Homestead is overseeing three of 176 projects in the state that are being aided by 2015 grants awarded and administered by DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

Funding for grants overseen by DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation includes the Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax; the Environmental Stewardship Fund; the ATV/Snowmobile Fund generated through fees for licenses; and federal monies.

In its Grant Round 21, DCNR received 430 grant applications in 2015 that accounted for funding requests totaling more than $92 million.

Grants were awarded in categories that included municipal and regional community recreation and park projects; land acquisition; rivers conservation efforts; and planning.

In Montgomery County, the following communities received grants:

Abington Township, $15,000, Study the feasibility of rehabilitating Crestmont and Penbryn Pools in AbingtonTownship, Montgomery County. Work to include a written, bound report. Douglas Wendell, (215) 576-5213 ext. 1001. Key - Community

Hatboro Borough, $15,000, Prepare a Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan for Hatboro
Borough, Montgomery County. Work to include a written, bound report. Alfred F. Zollers, (215) 443-9100.
Key - Community

Hatfield Township, $23,000, Prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 16.8-acre Clemens Park, Hatfield
Township, Montgomery County. Work to include a written, bound report. Nancy Stock, (215) 855-0900 ext.
100. Key - Community

Montgomery County, $331,000, Development of the Bridgeport Loop Trail in Bridgeport Borough,
Montgomery County. Work to include construction of approximately 1.1 miles of trail from DeKalb Street
between Fourth and Fifth streets, across the O’Neill Development Site, to DeKalb and West Front streets;
ADA access, landscaping, project sign, signage and other related site improvements. Michael M. Stokes, (610)
278-3729. Key - Community

Montgomery County, $200,000, Design for approximately 3.5 miles of the Chester Valley Rail Trail in Upper
Merion Township, Bridgeport, and Norristown boroughs, Montgomery County from South Gulph Road in
Upper Merion Township to East Main Street in Norristown Borough. Work to include drawings, specifications,
and related documents. Michael M. Stokes, (610) 278-3729. Key - Community

Montgomery County, $45,000, Prepare Multi-Regional Greenway Implementation and Stewardship Plans for
the Central Perkiomen Valley, Upper Perkiomen Valley, Indian Valley and Pottstown Metropolitan regions in
western Montgomery County. Prepare a Greenway Planning Guidebook as a model for municipalities to
develop greenway plans. Work to include a written, bound report. Eric Jarrell, (610) 278-3745. Key -
Community

Montgomery County, $160,000, Further development of the Schuylkill River Trail in Lower Pottsgrove
Township, Montgomery County. Work to include construction of approximately 0.6 miles of trail from the
Pottstown Borough line to the US 422 Bridge; ADA access, landscaping, project sign, signage and other
related site improvements. Michael M. Stokes, (610) 278-3729. Key - Community

Natural Lands Trust, Inc., $18,500, Prepare a Conservation and Management Plan for the 321-acre Fulshaw
Craeg Preserve, Montgomery County. Work to include a written, bound report. Diane Rosencrance, (610)
353-5640 ext. 211. Key - Land Trust

Schwenksville Borough, $250,000, Further development of Meadow Park, Schwenksville Borough,
Montgomery County. Work to include construction of boat launch, pedestrian paths, access drive and
parking; installation of lighting, stormwater management and informational kiosk; ADA access, landscaping,
project sign and other related site improvements. Anne W. Klepfer, (610) 287-7442. Key - Community

Upper Frederick Township, $40,000, Development of Speelhoffer Park, Upper Frederick Township,
Montgomery County. Work to include construction of dog park, parking area and pedestrian walkways;
installation of fencing and gates; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
Jackie Tallon, (610) 754-6436. Key - Community

Upper Salford Township, $50,000, Payment toward the acquisition of a conservation easement on
approximately 43 acres of woodland adjacent to the Spring Mountain Natural Area along Schwenksville Road
in Upper Salford Township, Montgomery County for preservation of natural area, habitat and watershed
protection, and passive recreation. Ted Poatsy, (610) 287-9491. Key - Community

West Pottsgrove Township, $40,000, Rehabilitation of Murgia Park and further development of Manatawny
Trail, West Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County. Work to include construction of ¼- mile trail, bridge,
fishing area, picnic area and stream bank stabilization; ADA access, landscaping, site amenities, project sign
and other related site improvements. Justin M. Keller, (484) 945-0200. Key - Community

Whitpain Township, $22,500, Prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 94-acre Center Square Park in
Whitpain Township, Montgomery County. Work to include a written, bound report. Kurt W. Baker, (610) 277-
2400. Key - Community