The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources this week announced the investment of $23 million in conservation and recreation projects

Statewide, the grants will fund a variety of projects, including 10 swimming pools, 38 playgrounds and tot lots, 38 sports courts and fields, six skateboard parks, and 46 planning projects for regional efforts, parks, greenways and trails.

Included in the grants is $1 million to continue developing the Great Allegheny Passage Trail. The new section starts in McKeesport and will run through multiple municipalities in Allegheny County and end at the Glenwood Bridge in Pittsburgh. The Great Allegheny Passage will connect Pittsburgh through the Laurel Highlands to Washington D.C. and is scheduled to be complete by Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary celebration in 2008.

Funding for the grants comes from Growing Greener II, a voter-approved $625 million bond issue, and Keystone '93, a DCNR fund generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

A complete list of projects is available online.

3/9/2007