Across Northeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania, about $10 million in state funding will help build parks, trails and connect communities by land and water.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) on Monday announced roughly $82 million investment in new state funding for more than 295 recreation and conservation projects across the state.
“The outdoors are for everyone — whether you enjoy spending time at a local park, out on the water, or on a trail — every Pennsylvanian deserves access to safe, welcoming outdoor spaces close to home,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a press release. “Because of our investments, communities across Pennsylvania will be able to improve parks, build new trails, and help more people enjoy the benefits of nature, in cities and rural towns alike."
Of those projects, 52 will benefit communities in Bradford, Carbon, Clinton, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne and Wyoming.
Playgrounds and pools will be updated or constructed. More land will be conserved for preserves and state forests and ADA access in the outdoors will be improved.
The funding will also help with conservation projects along waterways and protect vital habitat for wildlife.
PROJECTS INCLUDE:
Bradford County
- Towanda Borough: Rehabilitation and further development of 3rd Ward Playground in Towanda. Work to include construction of pedestrian walkway, comfort station and pavilion; installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, benches, fencing and lighting; ADA access, landscaping and project sign, $621,000.
- Wyalusing Twp.: Development of Wyalusing Township Park. Work to include construction of pedestrian walkways, internal loop trail and parking area, installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $162,500.
Carbon County
- Nesquehoning Borough: Rehabilitation of New Columbus Park. Work to include renovation of basketball courts, construction of pedestrian walkway and parking area, installation of fencing and utilities, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $75,000.
Clinton County
- Lock Haven: Rehabilitation and further development of Hanna Park. Work to include renovation of comfort station, construction of pickleball courts, basketball courts and pedestrian walkways, installation of fencing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $215,000.
Lackawanna County
- City of Carbondale: Prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 1.51-acre Racket Brook Park. Work to include an electronic written report and a site development drawing, $60,000.
Luzerne County
- Hazle Twp.: Further development of Hazle Township Community Park. Work to include the construction of a parking area and pedestrian walkways, installation of fishing access points and fencing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $264,000.
- Luzerne County: Prepare an update to the Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan for Luzerne County. Work to include an electronic written report, $75,000.
- Natural Lands: Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 52 acres in Buck Twp. as for an addition to Bear Creek Preserve, $168,800.
- Natural Lands: Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 16 acres in Buck Twp. for an addition to State Game Lands 91, $61,300.
- North Branch Land Trust: Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 328 acres in Newport and Hanover townships, and Warrior Run and Sugar Notch boroughs for an addition to Pinchot State Forest, $512,100.
- Salem Twp.: Rehabilitation of Salem Twp. Park. Work to include construction of a pedestrian walkway, installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $100,000.
- Sugar Notch: Rehabilitation and further development of Broadhead Park. Work to include renovation of basketball court, construction of pedestrian walkway, parking area and storm water management measures, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $80,000.
- The Trust for Public Land: Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 230 acres in Duryea for an addition to Campbell’s Ledge Preserve, $594,700.
- Wright Twp.: Rehabilitation and further development of Wright Twp. Park. Work to include renovation of parking area, construction of pedestrian walkways and pickleball court, installation of fencing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $125,000.
Lycoming County
- Jersey Shore: Development of Richmond Park. Work to include construction of pavilion, internal loop trail and parking area, installation of lighting, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $82,800.
- Loyalsock Township: Further development of James Short Park. Work to include construction of an amphitheater and pedestrian walkway, installation of lighting and utilities, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $110,800.
Monroe County
- Pocono Heritage Land Trust: Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 68 acres in Paradise and Pocono townships for open space and passive recreation, $229,800.
- Stroud Twp.: Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 133 acres along Poplar Valley Road in Stroud and Hamilton townships for open space and passive recreation, $561,700.
- Tobyhanna Twp.: Prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 130-acre Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area in Tobyhanna Twp. (Monroe and Carbon counties). Work to include an electronic written report and a site development drawing, $27,500.
Northumberland County
- Mount Carmel Twp.: Development of Mount Carmel Township Park. Work to include construction of a pavilion, pedestrian walkways and parking area, installation of play equipment and required safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $60,000.
- Shamokin: Rehabilitation and further development of Volunteer Park. Work to include construction of pedestrian bridge and pedestrian walkways, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $248,400.
Pike County
- Delaware Twp.: Prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 148.61-acre Akenac Park, $33,800.
- Milford: Further development of West Ann Memorial Park. Work to include construction of a pavilion, installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $250,000.
Schuylkill County
- Frailey Twp.: Further development of Good Spring Park and Trail. Work to include construction of pedestrian walkway, installation of fencing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $80,000.
- Hubley Twp.: Further development of Hubley Twp. Municipal Park. Work to include construction of a pedestrian walkway, installation of playground equipment with required safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $70,000.
- Pine Grove Twp.: Further development of Pine Grove Twp. Recreation Park. Work to include construction of a pedestrian walkway, installation of playground equipment with required safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $50,000.
- Ryan Twp.: Rehabilitation and further development of Ryan Twp. Municipal Park. Work to include renovation of basketball court, construction of a pickleball court and pedestrian walkway, installation of fencing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $60,000.
- Schuylkill County: Prepare an update to the Master Site Plan for the 183-acre Sweet Arrow Lake in Pine Grove and Washington townships, including the 28-acre expansion of the Frog Hollow parcel in Wayne Twp., $36,000.
- Wayne Twp.: Further development of Wayne Twp. Park. Work to include construction of a comfort station and pedestrian walkway, installation of utilities, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $54,700.
Snyder County
- Freeburg: Prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 6.29-acre Freeburg Commons and 1.5-acre Freeburg-Washington Community Center, $23,700.
Sullivan County
- Cherry Twp. Supervisors: Further development of Cherry Twp. Park. Work to include construction of pedestrian walkways and parking area, installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $100,000.
- Eagles Mere Conservancy Inc.: Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 75 acres in Eagles Mere Borough and Shrewsbury Twp. for open space and passive recreation, $221,900.
Susquehanna County
- Gibson Twp.: Further development of Ervin Kaminski Park. Work to include construction of a comfort station, pedestrian walkway and parking area, installation of utilities, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $70,000.
- Susquehanna Depot: Further development of Ira Reynolds Park along the Susquehanna River. Work to include construction of a boat launch, ADA access, landscaping, project sign, and other related site improvements, $200,000.
Tioga County
- Blossburg Borough: Rehabilitation of Island Park. Work to include rehabilitation of multi-purpose field and track, installation of fencing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $412,400.
- Elkland: Prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 4.25-acre community park, $25,000.
- Mansfield: Prepare a Feasibility Study for the rehabilitation of the Mansfield Community Swimming Pool, $44,700.
- Wellsboro: Rehabilitation and further development of Wellsboro Community Pool. Work to include renovation of the main pool circulation and filtration system, gutter system and decking, construction of an ADA accessible beach and water features, ADA access, landscaping and project sign, $1.2 million.
Union County
- Mifflinburg: Rehabilitation of Mifflinburg Community Park. Work to include renovation of a multi-use courts, installation of lighting and fencing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $86,900.
- Union County Trail Authority: Design for the development of approximately 0.12 miles of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail in East Buffalo Twp. and Lewisburg Borough from 10th Street to 8th Street. Work to include drawings, specifications and related documents, $161,100.
Wayne County
- Dreher Twp.: Rehabilitation of Carlton Drake Memorial Park. Work to include renovation of pavilion, pedestrian walkways and parking area, installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $193,400.
Wyoming County
- Clinton Twp.: Development of the Joint Municipal Trail in Clinton Twp. and Factoryville. Work to include construction of approximately 1.2 miles of trail from Lackawanna Trail School District Offices in Factoryville Borough to Creekside Park in Clinton Twp., trailhead and retaining wall, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements, $499,900.
Regional
- Endless Mountains Heritage Region Inc.: Manage the heritage area and heritage area initiatives including the 2026 mini-grant program, develop regional gravel cycling loop trails, manage the North Branch Susquehanna River Water Trail and develop an Endless Mountains heritage guide, $409,800.
- Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority: Manage the heritage area and heritage area initiatives, facilitate development of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and complete a feasibility study for the Lackawanna River Water Trail, $369,000.
- Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc.: Coordinate and fund the Activating NEPA Trails 2026 mini-grant program, coordinate approximately four trail stewardship events, and coordinate a regional outdoor recreation summit, $120,000.
- Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc.: Conduct a mountain bike trail assessment for the PA Wilds, support the development of the PA Trail Finder, provide leadership and guidance on gravel cycling and conduct a trail sustainability assessment in the Circuit Trails Region, $180,000.
- Pennsylvania Environmental Council Inc.: Coordinate and fund activities of the Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape including the 2026 mini-grant program, support trail network development and engage communities and partners, $220,000.
- Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship Inc.: Coordinate and fund activities of the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape, implement recreation mapping plan and promote regional outdoor recreation, public lands and conservation, $300,000.
