Pennsylvania has announced $65,000 in new grant funding to assist Mountville Borough Community Park in Lancaster County for key repairs and development to its municipal park.
“Pennsylvania is pleased to invest in this important project that will help Mountville Borough provide outdoor recreation opportunities to its community and its visitors for years to come,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Deputy Secretary Mike Walsh said. “People all over the commonwealth have turned to the outdoors and continue to show an interest in spending time in nature, which is why these grant investments are more important than ever in providing nearby recreation opportunities.”
DCNR’s grant funding will help with the construction of basketball, tennis, pickleball and bocce courts, a pedestrian walkway, to improve ADA access, landscaping and other site related improvements at the park. The borough manages four parks total and is working to make similar improvements at its other properties.
“As we continue the upgrading process to our community parks, Mountville Borough is very appreciative of the DCNR grant that has been awarded to the borough,” said Borough Council Parks and Recreation Chairperson Jonah Eastep. “This grant will help us revitalize our parks and help bring our community together again.”
DCNR provides grants to myriad projects across the commonwealth annually, including a $70 million investment during the 2021-22 fiscal year. Its Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants can fund:
- Planning, acquisition, and development of public parks and recreation areas
- Motorized and non-motorized trails
- River conservation and access
- Heritage areas and facilities
- Conservation of critical habitat, natural areas and open space
Eligible applicants for these grants include counties, municipalities, municipal agencies, nonprofit organizations, state heritage areas, prequalified land trusts, and for-profit enterprises. Grant funding for the program comes from a variety of state funding sources including Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund, ATV and Snowmobile Management Restricted Accounts, Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program, and federal sources including the Recreational Trails Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. DCNR selects the most appropriate funding source based on the applicant and proposed project.
