From staff reports
Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday an investment of $70 million for 317 projects across Pennsylvania that his office says will revitalize communities, create new recreational opportunities and conserve natural spaces.
Projects in Venango, Clarion and Crawford counties are among those receiving the funds.
“Our outdoor places are among the things that tie us all together – a place to meet for our health, for enjoyment, for recreation and a draw for tourists,” Wolf said. “Many of the projects being funded — improvements to local parks, trails and river access — bring these amenities closer to home, requiring less driving and expense to experience at a time during the pandemic when these opportunities are recognized as critical to our well-being.”
Work will include the renovation of the comfort station, construction of pedestrian walkways, ADA access, landscaping and other related improvements.
A total of $28,000 has been awarded to Venango American Rivers Inc. for the restoration of the Allegheny River at Holeman Island in President Township.
Work will include construction of a fish passage, dam removal, stream and wetland restoration, landscaping, project sign and more.
The third grant going to Venango County is $27,000 to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The payment will go toward the acquisition of about 33 acres in Sugarcreek Borough for watershed protection and passive recreation.
“The Brady Tunnel has been a work in progress for some time and has received previous state grants because it is such an important link in our local and regional trail networks,” said state Rep. Donna Oberlander. “I am pleased to see additional funding to allow for further development.”
In Venango and Crawford counties, $221,000 was awarded to the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism to manage the heritage area and heritage area initiatives.
These include the 2022 mini-grant program, the complete Phase V rehabilitation of the Scheide House in Titusville, creating three new preservation plans for significant buildings located within the heritage region, reprinting waterproof Allegheny Wild and Scenic River Guide maps, creating a Trail Tales Program and replacing interpretive panels along the Emlenton Walking Tour in Emlenton.
The grants fall under the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program.
Funding is coming from the Keystone Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, fees for ATV/snowmobile licenses and federal monies.
A complete list of the grants can be found at www.dcnr.pa.gov.
