Springfield Gets $158K For Conservation Acquisition

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — The Delaware County Council recently announced $4.5 million in funding allocated to 26 municipalities as part of the "Delco Green Ways" program.

Among the recipients was Springfield Township.

Delco Green Ways is the County’s Open Space and Recreational Municipal Grant Program.

The funding awards were announced at the council's Oct. 23 meeting.

Springfield is getting $157,930 to purchase 510 Saxer Ave. for conservation.

The grants will fund 102 acres of new preserved open space land, approximately 7.3 miles of trail development, 18 parks and recreation improvement projects, and 8 professional service projects.

Delaware County Council first announced the inaugural round of Delco Green Ways, its new municipal grant program for open space and recreation, in July 2019. The grant program makes funds available to municipalities for local open space and recreation projects throughout the County.

"These grants begin to fulfill the vision Council had several years ago to expand open space in our county, build new walking and bike trails and improve the parks and recreation areas in our towns," said Delaware County Council Chairman John McBlain.

Council created the Delaware County Open Space Task Force in 2016 to develop recommendations and strategies to implement this vision.

The Task Force comprises leaders from local municipalities, nonprofit organizations, the business community, and several County staff members.

The diverse background of the members was crucial in developing recommendations that are inclusive of all Delaware County communities.

In 2018, County Council authorized a $10 million bond to create the first county Open Space and Parks Fund, which funded the Delco Green Ways grants to municipalities.

The objective of Delco Green Ways is to assist municipalities in achieving their local open space and recreation goals, while also furthering the objectives of Delaware County’s goals of open space and recreation across the County.

"The $4.5 million in Delco Green Ways grants helped these municipalities leverage an additional $20 million in other funding to complete these acquisitions and projects," McBlain said.

There are 4 categories of projects reflecting the goals of The Open Space, Recreation, and Greenway Plan: Conserve projects encompass the acquisition of land for preservation. Enhance projects include capital improvements to existing recreational facilities, parks, and open space. Connect projects develop trails. Professional Services projects aid municipalities in creating plans, conducting studies, and completing the design and engineering of projects.

The 26 municipalities which were awarded funding submitted their applications detailing the use of monies in the above categories.

Eligible projects included fee simple acquisition of land, conservation or trail easements on private land, capital improvements to existing public park facilities, regreening efforts, construction of trails, and professional services such as comprehensive open space planning, feasibility studies, design/engineering and permitting.