DCNR program announces $2.9M for county park upgrades
More than $2.9 million in grants will support three park projects in Butler County, including a more than $2.7 million project in Cranberry Township, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced Thursday.
The DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program allocated upwards of $2.7 million for further development of Cranberry Township Community Park, $98,3000 for the rehabilitation of Connoquenessing Park and $55,600 for the rehabilitation of Harmony Borough Park.
“I think one of the greatest things about this grant, and really any grant, is knowing that staff worked so hard with the public to meet the needs and address the needs that people bring forth to us,” said Mike Manipole, Cranberry Township supervisors chairman.
The township’s grant will be used to construct pedestrian walkways, a pavilion, a comfort facility, multipurpose fields, an access drive, parking area and stormwater management at its community park.
In line with the township’s comprehensive plan, Manipole said the grant would help prepare the Cranberry Township Community Park for future upgrades and “new modes of recreation.”
“We’re looking at a lot of field upgrades and the facilities that go with the fields — like restrooms — and some additions to the land outside the dog park area,” he said. “A lot of it’s just going to go to maintaining the quality of our fields and improving some of the areas we recognize need a little bit of maintenance.”
Additionally, it would help cover utilities, lighting, improved accessibility and other related site improvements.
“Part of that is going to make some more paths and some more ramps and make sure that our facilities are readily accessible to all members of our public,” Manipole said.
Work on the upgrades is not expected to begin until spring 2024, according to Manipole.
“Once all the grant information comes through, we’re going to go to our engineering, and then through engineering, we’re going to go ahead and start design phases for all the areas we’re going to improve,” he said.
In addition to the residents and staff who made the grant possible, Manipole also said the township was “fortunate” to have the support of state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th, and state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th.
“They really want to come up and really progress and things and move forward,” he said. “Neither one of those two let dust settle anywhere, which is really exciting.”
“The funds from these grants will help enhance the quality and variety of outdoor experiences our area has to offer both now and in the future,” Scialabba said in a Friday statement.
Lance Welliver, director of Butler County Parks and Recreation, said Connoquenessing borough will cover a portion of a project that will build a pedestrian walkway and a nature-themed playground set at Connoquenessing Park.
“There is a paved walking loop they just put in a few years ago. This will be another addition to the park,” Welliver said. “This will be a unique design for a playground structure to put in there (with) more natural looking appearances.”
Work on Connoquenessing’s projects will begin next fall, at the earliest, Welliver said.
Harmony, Welliver said, will use the money to rehabilitate Harmony Borough Park, by installing a pedestrian walkway, play equipment with required safety surfacing; landscaping and more.
According to Welliver, Harmony applied for and received about $75,000 from Butler County Parks and Recreation earlier this year, which will also be put toward park improvements.
“It will be a walkway from the parking lot to get to the play structure,” Welliver said. “Right now, they have a basketball court, but it's a much better thing. They have a playground structure there now, but it's time to move on and get a new one.”
Work on the project will begin next fall at the earliest, Welliver said.
The DCNR program required matching funds from the municipalities submitting applications, Welliver said.
Funding for the Conservation and Community Conservation Partnerships Program comes from the Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, the ATV/Snowmobile Fund and federal money.
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