On September 29, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the investment of $500,000 toward the improvement of Trail Park in the Fairhill neighborhood in Philadelphia.
“DCNR is happy to assist with transformation of this former railyard in the Fairhill neighborhood into a new park and trailhead, because close-to-home opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are important factors in quality of life for residents, and attracting and keeping businesses,” Dunn said. “The park is designed to meet the needs of all ages and abilities, a key component of our newly released statewide plan called Recreation for All.”
The grant to the Hispanic Association of Contractors & Enterprises in Philadelphia will help with the creation of a 1.3-acre park on a former rail yard site that includes a playground, amphitheater with seating, accessible walkways, comfort and concession facilities, patio, and a food truck area.
The project, a result of extensive community involvement and planning, will include the future trailhead of the proposed Richmond Industrial Trail connecting to The Circuit trails in southeast Pennsylvania.
The park will serve a broad community with varying inclusivity and accessibility needs, including a large population of seniors who live in the area adjacent to this site.
Multi-generational households also are common in this area, requiring the need for open space which can accommodate both children and seniors in the same space.
Features will include ramps and barrier-free travel routes, accessible play options, limited grade changes, edge protection, and appropriate, stable surfacing to provide true inclusivity for the full range of planned programming and activities.
“I am thrilled that the Commonwealth, through this substantial grant funding, is supporting the community’s hard work on this project, led by the Hispanic Association of Contractors & Enterprises,” Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said. “The Trail Park will improve the quality of life for local children, their parents, and senior citizens with its emphasis on inclusivity and access for all. And it will help to strengthen the bonds of our community by bringing families closer together.”
The grant is in addition to 31 in the greater Philadelphia area for community park planning and development supported by the Keystone and Land and Water Conservation funds. Highlights of the other grants include:
-- Doylestown Borough in Bucks County, $250,000, for development of Broad Street Gateway Park to include multipurpose green space and stormwater management measures.
-- Honey Brook Township in Chester County, $225,000, for rehabilitation of James A. Umble Memorial Park to include a skatepark.
-- Penn Township in Chester County, $1 million, for further development of Sports Park, to include construction of an outdoor hockey rink and other sport courts.
-- Media Borough in Delaware County, $250,000, for development of Plum Street Park, to include performance area seating, green wall and stormwater management measures; installation of shade structures and a fountain.
-- Limerick Township in Montgomery County, $225,000, Development of Limerick Community Park, to include pickleball courts, bocce courts, and stormwater management measures.
-- Norristown Borough in Montgomery County, $202,500, for rehabilitation of Riverfront Park to include a floating dock, walkways and stormwater management measures.
-- City of Philadelphia, $500,000, rehabilitation of Barrett Playground to include basketball courts, tennis courts, spray park, and fitness and play equipment.
Click Here for a complete list of the 158 community park and partnership grant awards made last week.
Regional Grant Workshops
Need funding for a park, trail, or conservation project? The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation is hosting virtual regional grant workshops in November.
Click Here for all the details.
The DCNR website includes information about the Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants and Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Recreation Plan.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
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