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11/18/24 - 107 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3zb7jppr

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DCNR Celebrates Importance Of Local Parks, Recreation To Communities In Bucks County

As part of national Park and Recreation Month, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday visited three parks in Bucks County to hear from local officials and stakeholders about their importance and plans for improvements.

“Communities across Pennsylvania recognize that local parks and recreation opportunities contribute to a high quality of life and attract and sustain employers and families,” Dunn said. “Local parks provide close-to-home nature and recreation that is always free or affordable.”

Dunn’s first stop was the new Great Blue Heron Park at 3202 Dovecote Drive in Richland Township, which is the trailhead for the Brayton Garden Trail that connects to the Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Network and Quakertown to the north, with future plans to connect to a trail in Milford Township to the west.

The secretary also met with young people and others involved in the creation of a skate park at 676 S. Main St., Quakertown, included in the transformation of the area into an action sports recreation and training facility. DCNR provided a $250,000 investment in the project.

Finally, she stopped at Park at 4th at the intersection of Mill and 4th streets in Quakertown, where a $250,000 DCNR grant assisted with the construction of an amphitheater that is home to the community’s concert series.

“Just at these three parks in upper Bucks County we can see the breadth of amenities that local parks and recreation provide to communities – trail connections to other places and networks; opportunities for young people to be active and engaged in positive behavior; and gathering spots for cultural and other activities,” Dunn said.

The source of funding for the DCNR grants in the Keystone Fund, currently celebrating 25 years of supporting thousands of community improvements in the Commonwealth.

In Pennsylvania, outdoor recreation generates $29.1 billion in consumer spending, $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue, $8.6 billion in wages and salaries, and sustains 251,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.

Click Here to watch a short video of Secretary Dunn’s visits (Facebook).

Pennsylvania has more than 6,000 local parks. Find out more about them by visiting the PA Recreation & Parks Society’s Good For You, Good For All website.

Visit the Explore PA Trails website for more information on local hike and biking trails.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Photo: Skate park at Quakertown.)

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Editorial: A Few Weeds Don’t Mar Beauty Of River Common In Luzerne

Upper Bucks County Park Tour Highlights Recreation Partnerships

Bids Sought To Put Walking Trail Around Freeport’s Park

Levee Trail Report Project To Cost Less Than Expected In Luzerne

Erie County Trail Network Highlighted

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Op-Ed: With Philly Soda Tax Fight Won, Time To Right By Libraries, Rec Centers

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