Wolf Administration Announces $50 Million Investment to Improve Recreation, Community Revitalization across Pennsylvania

​Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced an investment of $50 million for 280 projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources, and help revitalize local communities.

“Many of the projects being funded — improvements to local parks, trails, and river access — bring opportunities for outdoor recreation closer to home, and are the features that help attract families, visitors, and businesses that provide jobs to communities,” Governor Wolf said. “This $50 million in grants will support communities throughout Pennsylvania working to protect and improve natural amenities for our citizens.”

Investments are being made in a variety of proposals, including:

  • 39 trail projects;
  • Protecting nearly 4,172 acres of open space;
  • 10 projects for planting riparian buffers along streams;
  • 16 projects for rivers conservation;
  • 126 projects to develop or rehabilitate recreation, park, and conservation areas and facilities.

The grants are administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Funding comes from:

  • 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;
  • Federal monies including the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Projects are funded throughout Pennsylvania. A complete list (PDF) is available on the DCNR website.

Additionally, more than $2.1 million is being provided to Heritage Areas for projects, including advancing river and trail towns, closing gaps in Pennsylvanian’s destination trails, developing heritage tourism initiatives, improving educational and interpretative signage, and planning and marketing heritage tourism events.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Terry Brady, 717-772-9101