East Pikeland Parks Receive More Than $88k In State Funding

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 East Pikeland and several other locations in Chester 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.”

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 Chester County, the following communities received grants:

East Bradford Township, $84,000, Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 6.9 acres located along
Birmingham and Lenape Roads in East Bradford Township, Chester County for passive recreation and
environmental education. Mandie Cantlin, (610) 436-5108. Key - Community

East Pikeland Township, $88,250, Further development of Kimberton Park, East Pikeland Township, Chester
County. Work to include construction of amphitheater with comfort station, parking area, pedestrian
walkway and rain garden; installation of lighting; ADA access, site amenities, landscaping, project sign and
other related site improvements. Kimberly Moretti, (610) 933-1770. Key - Community

French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Inc., $1,000,000, Payment toward the acquisition of
approximately 104 acres located along the South Branch of French Creek in Warwick Township, Chester
County for critical habitat and passive recreation. Pamela J. Brown, (610) 933-7577. Key - Land Trust

New London Township, $250,000, Development of New London Village Park, New London Township, Chester
County. Work to include construction of stormwater management structures, pedestrian pathways, wetland
crossing, meadow, parking area, gazebo, volleyball court, pond and pier; installation of play equipment with
required safety surfacing, and exercise equipment; ADA access, landscaping, site amenities, project sign and
other related site improvements. Trish L. Fagan, (610) 869-8658. Key - Community

North Coventry Township, $232,000, Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 26 acres along French
Creek State Park and Cold Spring Road in North Coventry Township, Chester County for park expansion and
passive recreation. Kevin F. Hennessey, (610) 323-1694. Key - Community

North Coventry Township, $203,000, Development of Hanover Meadows Park, North Coventry Township,
Chester County. Work to include construction of driveway, parking area, comfort station, stormwater
management structures, pedestrian walkways and trail; ADA access, landscaping, site amenities, project sign
and other related site improvements. Kevin F. Hennessey, (610) 323-1694. Key - Community

North Coventry Township, $92,500, Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 1.7 acres adjacent to
Kenilworth Park and located along East Schuylkill Road in North Coventry Township, Chester County for park
expansion and connection to the Schuylkill River Trail. Kevin F. Hennessey, (610) 323-1694. Key - Community

The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County, $267,000, Payment toward the acquisition of a
conservation easement on approximately 125 acres of woodland along Old Kennett Road in Kennett
Township, Chester County for preservation of natural area and critical habitat. Gwendolyn Lacy, (610) 347-
0347 ext. 102. Key - Land Trust

Valley Township, $25,000, Prepare an update to the Comprehensive Recreation, Park, Open Space and

Greenways Plan for Valley Township, Chester County. Work to include a written, bound report. Karen E.
Chandler, (610) 384-5751 ext. 12. Key - Community