Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti Monday met with Lower Paxton Township officials in Dauphin County to formally announce funding of two park projects that will enhance the township’s commitment to honoring military veterans and conserving energy.

Applications for the next round of DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Program grants are due April 16 and the agency has a series of six grant writing workshops set to begin February 5.

The secretary highlighted a $200,000 DCNR grant that will pave the way for rehabilitation and further development of two township-owned park sites in Dauphin County: Heroes Grove in Brightbill Park, where an amphitheater will be constructed, and the Friendship Center, targeted for revamped energy-efficient lighting.

“These particular projects are closely in line with DCNR’s goals and address two subjects highly valued by me personally: support of our military veterans and smart construction techniques that conserve energy,” Ferretti said. “We recently initiated a similar project to honor the brave men and women who served in our military with special programming at our state parks.”

Specifically, the grant will supplement local matching dollars at the parks for:  Heroes Grove enhancements, including construction of an outdoor performance venue/amphitheater with stage; stormwater management control measures, pedestrian walkway and parking; installation of utilities and site lighting; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements; and Friendship Center improvements to include installation of new energy efficient lighting in the Fitness Center; project signage and other related site improvements.

The Lower Paxton Township grant was among those announced December 5 by Gov. Corbett when he noted all state residents would benefit from new recreational opportunities, expanded protection of natural resources and locally-driven community projects as a result of more than $38 million in new grants to be distributed across the state.

“Township residents are among so many across the state benefitting from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program grants,” Ferretti noted. “We are proud of our community enhancement efforts and are moving to showcase them in our recently activated grants interactive map that allows users to easily review grant project information across the state.”

Information on grants from the last 19 years can be sorted by county, region, watershed and sources of funding, and can be viewed relative to street and topographic maps, as well as aerial photos. The map can display individual project data, and users can download reports complete with maps and photos.

Grants announced in December will support 201 conservation and recreation projects in 62 counties. The grants will fund a variety of proposals, including 36 trail projects; protecting 2,718 acres of open space; 77 community parks; five river conservation projects; and 35 projects for regional and statewide heritage area, park, greenway and trail initiatives.

For more information, visit DCNR’s interactive grants map and the Community Conservation Partnership Program webpages.

1/13/2014