Seven outdoor projects in Centre County will receive a combined $2.02 million in newly awarded grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department Conservation and Natural Resources, Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration announced this week.
The local projects are part of $90 million in funding awarded from the 2022 Community Conservation Partnerships Program to more than 330 projects across the commonwealth, the largest single investment in recreation and conservation in DCNR history.
“Pennsylvania encompasses some of the most beautiful natural areas in the nation,” Wolf said in a statement. “By investing in the upkeep and expansion of our recreational areas, we are not only improving the quality of life for citizens. We are making Pennsylvania an even better destination for visitors who will contribute to the economic health of communities all across the commonwealth.”
The largest single grant locally went to the Nittany Valley Joint Recreation Authority, which received $1,310,213 for rehabilitation and development of Kepler Community Pool in Spring Township. Closed for the last two seasons, the pool at Governor’s Park has long been in need of renovations and the authority has estimated about $2.9 million is needed for improvements.
Previously awarded state grants, municipal support and an ongoing fundraising campaign also are being used to support the project.
The DCNR grant will be used toward the renovation of the bathhouse, concessions and parking area; construction of a wading pool; installation of a filtration and recirculation systems and utilities; ADA access, landscaping and other improvements.
State College’s planned High Point Skatepark received a $250,000 award — the third state grant for the long-sought project.
Designed for wheeled sports like skateboarding, BMX biking, rollerskating and scootering, the wheelchair-accessible skatepark will be located at High Point Park, off of Whitehall Road in State College.
With discussions of a public skatepark dating back 25 years, the effort has moved forward in earnest with the borough and a volunteer committee working to make it a reality.
Jake Johnson, a professional skateboarder and State College native who opened IQ Skateshop on South Pugh Street last year, and his father, Tim, a professor emeritus of landscape architecture at Penn State, came on board over the last two years to develop the concept for the design. They also enlisted New Line Skateparks to develop final technical designs and construction plans.
With a final design completed this spring, fundraising for the $1.9 million project has also been boosted by a recent $30,000 grant from Tony Hawk’s The Skatepark Project, $500,000 in previous state grants, $200,000 from the borough and at least $100,000 in community donations. A fundraising campaign is ongoing, with hopes to begin construction of the 20,000-square-foot, plaza-style facility next spring.
Other local projects awarded new DCNR funding include:
• Centre Region Parks and Recreation received $75,000 for continued development of the long-planned Whitehall Road Regional Park, which is currently under construction in Ferguson Township. The grant will be used toward construction of an all-weather pavilion, installation of utilities, ADA access, landscaping and other site improvements.
The $6.4 million, 50-acre first phase of the park will also include multiple playing fields, an all-ability and universally-accessible playground, a 2-mile accessible walking trail, gardens and a restroom building. It is expected to be mostly completed in the summer of 2023.
• Centre County received $200,700 to support development of Wildlife for Everyone Foundation’s Wildlife Center at the Soaring Eagle Wetland in Huston Township. Work will include construction of a pedestrian walkway, boardwalk trail, observation areas and stormwater management measures; installation of interpretive signage; ADA access and landscaping.
• Philipsburg Borough received $111,300 for development of the Cold Stream Campground, including construction of pedestrian walkways, campsites, a parking area, access drive and stormwater management; installation of utilities; ADA access and landscaping.
• Rush Township received $50,000 for rehabilitation and further development of Municipal Park, including construction of pedestrian walkways; installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing; ADA access and landscaping.
• Spring Township received $24,800 to prepare a master site development plan for the 27-acre Community Park and Sports Complex. The funds will support an electronic written report and site development drawing.
Additionally, ClearWater Conservancy was awarded $268,600 for work in Centre and Huntingdon counties to construct approximately 20 acres of multifunctional riparian forest buffers along waterways in the Susquehanna River Watershed. The funding will support landowner outreach and engagement, buffer plantings and post-planting establishment.
“One of the reasons I supported this year’s state budget wasn’t just because it made a historic investment in education, but also because it used part of the state’s surplus to invest in the outdoors and the places we call home,” state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, said in a statement. “In Centre County we’re blessed with some of the premier outdoor spaces and parks in Pennsylvania, and these state investments will help make sure our recreation areas and parks remain accessible for folks to enjoy.”
The new round of DCNR grants was made possible, in part, by the state 2022-23 state budget passed in July, which directed a portion of the state budget surplus toward outdoor recreation.
