Chester Valley Trail Gets $50,000 To Study Expansion Through County

The Chester Valley Trail is continuing to grow, as officials have announced that $50,000 has been set aside to study a 15-mile expansion across Chester County.

State Senator Andy Dinniman said on Friday that the money was part of the Pennsylvania Community Conservation Partnerships Grant Program (CCPP).

The money will go toward a study that will look at extending the trail through Coatesville, Atglen, Downingtown, Parkesburg, Caln, Sadsbury, Valley, and West Sadsbury, Dinniman said.

“It is important that we continue to invest in our open spaces and natural places and in making them more accessible and enjoyable for everyone," Dinniman said in a statement. "These grants can go a long way in not only protecting our environment, but also increasing recreational opportunities for residents and families throughout the region." who

It's a small part of $3.8 million in CCPP funding for Chester County as a whole. According to Dinniman's office, other funded projects include:

• $250,000 to East Goshen Township for the rehabilitation and further development of East Goshen Park. Work will include construction of a nature play area, pedestrian walkway, pavilion and the installation of safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements.
• $268,000 to East Goshen Township for the development of the Paoli Pike Trail Work will include construction of approximately 0.3 miles of trail from North Chester Road to Line Road, as well as the installation of ADA access, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements.
• $1,000,000 Natural Lands Trust for the acquisition of 300 acres located in West Vincent for open space and watershed preservation.
• $50,000 for North Coventry Township for the acquisition of approximately 5 acres along St. Peters Road for the creation of a trail connection between Coventry Woods Park and French Creek State Park.
• $135,000 for North Coventry Township for the acquisition of approximately 12.6 acres along Cornerstone Drive and Valley View Road for an addition to the Shenkel Road Park providing increased recreation opportunities.
• $686,600 for Penn Township for the acquisition of approximately 07 acres along North Jennersville Road for the protection of public open space and increased outdoor recreation opportunities.
• $1,000,000 for the Conservation Fund for the acquisition of approximately 6 acres along Springlawn Road in Elk, Franklin, and New London for an addition to the White Clay Creek Preserve and open space protection.
• $160,000 for Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County for the acquisition of approximately 30 acres located in Kennett Township, Chester County for an addition to the Stateline Woods Preserve increasing habitat and open space protection and passive recreation
• $200,000 for West Pikeland Township for the development of Walnut Lane Community Park. Work will include construction of access drive, parking area, pedestrian walkway, as well as stormwater management measures and the installation of utilities, lighting and fencing, ADA access, landscaping, signage and other related site improvements.

Dinniman serves on the state's Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

The money for these projects comes from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93).

Image courtesy State Sen. Andy Dinniman.