Shapiro Administration Invests $79 Million to Expand Recreation, Community Revitalization Efforts Across Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA – This week, the Shapiro Administration announced $79.4 million in grants for 307 projects across Pennsylvania, aimed at expanding recreational opportunities, conserving natural spaces, and revitalizing communities. These grants will support a wide range of projects, including improving local parks, expanding trails and river access points, and creating more green space in local communities.

These investments underscore Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to strengthening the Commonwealth’s communities — all while driving regional economic growth through projects that enrich cultural, civic, recreational, and historic places throughout Pennsylvania. This not only improves the quality of life for Pennsylvanians but also creates dynamic spaces that help to attract visitors to the Commonwealth.

“Every day, my Administration is focused on getting stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania — and we’re proud to support hundreds of projects across the Commonwealth that not only enhance the quality of life for Pennsylvanians but also serve as a catalyst for economic growth,” said Governor Shapiro. “Investing in these projects – from improving our parks and trails to planting trees in our neighborhoods to increasing access to our rivers – attracts visitors to Pennsylvania, boosts local businesses, and strengthens our communities.”

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited James Logan Elementary School in Philadelphia to spotlight a $500,000 grant to the School District of Philadelphia. This grant will engage communities, school staff, and students in planting approximately 600 trees across 30 school campuses in environmental justice areas, while also building local tree stewardship capacity in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Tree Tenders Program.

“Trees help combat urban heat and flooding, and their planting fosters a connection to nature,” said Secretary Dunn. “In Philadelphia alone, over $5 million in grants will support urban tree planting, park and playground improvements, trail development, and water access. These projects are part of broader efforts to prepare Fairmount Park and other sites for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.”

“Schools are an integral part of our Philadelphia communities and serve as areas where students, parents, and community members can gather and connect,” said Oz Hill, Deputy Superintendent of Operations for the School District of Philadelphia. “As one of the largest landowners in Philadelphia, increasing the tree canopy around schools will positively impact the health and well-being of our students. Thanks to a grant from DCNR, we are thrilled to expand our tree canopy.”

This investment is in addition to 16 other projects in Philadelphia, totaling $5.1 million:

• Awbury Arboretum Association, $299,000 to expand the Prescribe Outside program in Philadelphia;
• Awbury Arboretum Association, $182,000 to engage communities in planting trees and build local tree stewardship capacity; prepare a tree inventory and maintenance plan for the arboretum;
• Culturetrust Greater Philadelphia, $163,000 to coordinate and fund activities of the Philadelphia Youth Council;
• Neighborhood Gardens Trust, $234,000 to help with the acquisition of approximately 0.3 acres along Manayunk Avenue and Dexter Street for the protection of a neighborhood community forest;
• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, $100,000 for rehabilitation of Franklin Square playground;
• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, $150,000 for installation of approximately 5 acres of riparian forest buffers along Cobbs Creek in the Lower Delaware River watershed;
• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, $500,000 for restoration of 180 feet of the Schuylkill River along the Schuylkill River Trail in the vicinity of the South Street Bridge
• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, $86,000 for lighting upgrades and other improvements on approximately 0.28 miles of trail;
• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, $350,000, for rehabilitation of Starr Garden playground;
• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, $428,000 for rehabilitation and further development of Tacony Boat Launch along the Northern Delaware River;
• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, $500,000 for rehabilitation of West Fairmount Park Belmont Grove playground;
• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, $300,000 for rehabilitation of West Fairmount Park Centennial Gateway;
• Philadelphia Streets Department, $100,000 for design for the development of approximately 0.6 miles of the Cresheim Trail from the Germantown Avenue trestle bridge to the intersection of Stenton Avenue and Cresheim Valley Drive;
• Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Inc., $50,000 for installation of approximately 10 acres of meadows in the Central and Lower Delaware River watersheds;
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, $1 million to coordinate urban and community forestry in the City of Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania; and
• Zoological Society of Philadelphia, $190,000 to plant trees at the Philadelphia Zoo and build local tree stewardship capacity.

Statewide, the investments will facilitate the development of 25 new local parks, the rehabilitation of 85 existing parks, the protection of over 6,800 acres for recreation and habitat preservation, and $10 million to support trails, including nine projects aimed at addressing critical trail gaps.

A complete list of the statewide grants is available, including these projects across the Commonwealth:

• Asbury Woods Partnership, Erie County, $160,900 to acquire about 14 acres along Walnut Creek and Buttermilk Falls in Millcreek Township as an addition to Asbury Woods;
• City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, $218,000 for development of Swatara St. Park including walkways and a rain garden;
• Cochranton Borough, Crawford County, $100,000 for rehabilitation of Cochranton Lions Community Park;
• Dormont Borough, Allegheny County, $685,100 for rehabilitation of New Generation Playground;
• Fountain Hill Borough, Lehigh County, $28,200 to prepare a feasibility study for Fountain Hill Community Pool;
• Franklin Township, Greene County, $208,100 for the further development of Wisecarver Recreation Area including a loop trail;
• Johnstown Redevelopment Authority, Cambria County, $300,000 for a feasibility study for possible modifications to the Johnstown flood protection walls;
• Overfield Township, Wyoming County, $100,000, to further develop Teener Field;
• Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council, $400,000, to support its bare root tree program for communities across the Commonwealth;
• Valley in Motion, Lackawanna County, $72,000 to assist three municipalities along the Lackawanna River to improve accessibility; and
• Fairview Township, York County, $448,900 to help acquire about 92 acres for a new county park.

These grants are part of the DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which supports projects to develop new parks, rehabilitate existing spaces, and protect vital natural habitats. With increased state and federal support, $10.5 million of this funding round will go toward tree planting and lawn-to-habitat conversions statewide.

Funding is being provided for projects in 57 of 67 Pennsylvania counties in this round and is provided by the Keystone Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund, and federal sources.

Pennsylvania has more than 6,400 local parks and 124 state parks, more than 12,000 miles of trails, and more than 83,000 miles of waterways. Together with more than 2.2 million acres of state forests, the Commonwealth has among the largest expanses of public lands in the eastern United States that offer outdoor recreation opportunities in all four seasons – making Pennsylvania The Great American Getaway, launched by Governor Shapiro earlier this year.

Learn more about DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program grants.