DCNR Announces Grant Awards Renovo Borough to Receive $975,800 for Memorial Park Development

HARRISBURG – Thursday, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced nearly $1.4 million in new grant funding to support all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and snowmobile projects across the Commonwealth. This funding will help expand access to outdoor recreation and bolster Pennsylvania’s $19 billion outdoor recreation sector.

“DCNR is committed to supporting responsible outdoor recreation for all Pennsylvanians, and we are excited to announce these new projects to enhance ATV and snowmobile opportunities across the Commonwealth,” Secretary Dunn said. “Thank you to the organizations managing these efforts, and we look forward to reviewing the next round of grant applications.”

The following municipalities and organizations received funding for the development of publicly accessible ATV and snowmobile trails and facilities:

Bedford County Commissioners: $115,000 for a countywide ATV Trail Plan.
Rock Run Recreation: $269,200 to purchase equipment and materials to maintain and construct approximately 140 miles of ATV trails at Rock Run Recreation Area in Chest Township.
Renovo Borough: $975,800 for the development of Memorial Park in Renovo, including an ATV trailhead, campsites, parking area, stormwater management measures, rehabilitation of a bathhouse, ADA accessibility improvements, landscaping, and other site enhancements.
Presque Isle Snowmobile Club: $30,730 for equipment to construct and maintain approximately 26 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie County.
Wales Sno-Drifters: $11,400 for equipment to maintain and construct approximately 50 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie County.
The economic impact of these investments is evident. For example, DCNR’s Northcentral Regional ATV Trail Connector generated $23.5 million in revenue(opens in a new tab) over two years, showcasing the potential of off-highway vehicle recreation.

Funding for these grants is drawn from the ATV and Snowmobile Restricted Accounts, which are supported by rider registration fees. Additionally, this round of grants utilized funding from the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program (PRT), an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The FHWA provides funding to states to develop and maintain recreational trails for motorized and non-motorized uses.

With nearly 32,000 snowmobiles and over 290,000 ATVs registered in Pennsylvania, these investments ensure continued growth in safe and accessible motorized recreation opportunities in ways that best respect state land.

Growing Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Recreation Economy

Since taking office, Governor Josh Shapiro has delivered on key priorities to strengthen Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry:

· Historic Investments: Secured the largest state park and forest infrastructure funding in decades, enhancing access and sustainability.

· Office of Outdoor Recreation: Established a dedicated office to unite and grow Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry.

· Tourism Promotion: Increased funding to position Pennsylvania as a top destination for outdoor adventures, boosting tourism, and local communities through the Great American Getaway(opens in a new tab).

· Economic Development: Supported initiatives to create jobs and attract businesses, fostering innovation and long-term growth.

Upcoming Grant Opportunities

The spring ATV and Snowmobile Grant application window is open from February 3 through March 31. Applications must be submitted electronically through DCNR’s online grant application system(opens in a new tab).

Proposed projects eligible for funding include planning and design; land acquisition; trail development, rehabilitation, and maintenance; purchase of equipment for trail maintenance and construction; and development of educational programs related to snowmobile and ATV trails. Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations. While no match is required for these grants, applications offering matching funds will receive additional consideration.

DCNR offers two grant rounds annually for ATV and snowmobile projects. Grants awarded last spring supported six projects totaling more than $2.1 million.

For more information on motorized recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s snowmobiling(opens in a new tab) and ATV riding(opens in a new tab) webpages.