Roxborough Park Gets $188k In State Conservation 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 several locations around Philadelphia and Roxborough.

Roxborough’s Gorgas Park was the big winner, earning a grant of $188,000.

“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 Philadelphia County, the following communities received grants:

Natural Lands Trust, Inc., $350,000, Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 35 acres along the
Tacony Creek in the City of Philadelphia for open space, passive recreation and access to the Tacony Creek.
Peter R. Williamson, (610) 353-5640 ext. 215. Key - Land Trust

Philadelphia City, $300,000, Rehabilitation and further development of Columbus Square Park, Philadelphia
City. Work to include construction of passive seating area, walkways and permeable pavers, and rain garden;
installation of required safety surfacing to existing play areas, spray feature, lighting and utilities; ADA access,
landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements. Nancy Q. O’Donnell, (215) 832-2174. LWCF

Philadelphia City, $400,000, Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 1.9 acres located along
Frankford Creek in the City of Philadelphia for open space, passive recreation and the development of the
Frankford Creek Greenway. Robert Armstrong, (215) 683-0229. Key - Community

Philadelphia City, $188,000, Rehabilitation of Gorgas Park, Philadelphia City. Work to include construction of
stormwater management structures, pedestrian walkway and parking area; renovation of ballfield;
installation of fencing; ADA access, landscaping, site amenities, project sign and other related site
improvements. Alain D. Joinville, (215) 683-3634. Key - Community

Philadelphia City, $350,000, Rehabilitation of Lanier Playground, Philadelphia City. Work to include
construction of spray pad, softball field, multipurpose field, volleyball court, dog park, pedestrian walkways,
fitness equipment, rain garden with bridge and stormwater management structures; installation of lighting,
play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing; ADA access, interpretive signage, landscaping, site
amenities, project sign and other related site improvements. Stephanie K. Craighead, (215) 683-0210. Key -
Community

Philadelphia City, $388,000, Rehabilitation and further development of Markward at Schuylkill River Park,
Philadelphia City. Work to include construction of retaining walls, paving, and stormwater management
control measures; installation of water feature, site lighting and utilities; ADA access, landscaping, project
sign and other related site improvements. Robert Armstrong, (215) 683-0229. LWCF

Philadelphia City - Treasurer, $60,000, Design for approximately 1 mile of the Pennypack Trail in Philadelphia
City, Philadelphia County from the Interstate 95 Overpass to Rawn Street. Work to include drawings,
specifications, and related documents. Jeannette Brugger, (215) 683-4637. Key - Community

Philadelphia City Treasurer Streets Department, $400,000, Design for approximately 2.1 miles of the Spring
Garden Street Greenway from the Delaware River Trail to the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia City,
Philadelphia County. Work to include drawings, specifications, and related documents. Lizzie R. Hessmiller,
(215) 545-4570. Key - Community

Philadelphia Department of Commerce, $250,000, Development of the Delaware River Trail in Philadelphia
City, Philadelphia County. Work to include construction of approximately 0.75 miles of trail from Washington
Avenue to Pier 70 Boulevard; ADA access, landscaping, project sign, signage and other related site
improvements. Emily Giordano, (215) 683-2028. Key - Community