BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A dozen Lehigh Valley projects were awarded more than $3.5 million in state grants as part of a more than $10 million effort to fund trail upgrades statewide.
“When we invest in trails, we are really investing in communities — in the health of the people who live nearby, in their connections to neighboring towns, and in the businesses who provide services to the people who use and visit them,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in a news release.
Part of the DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the grants support projects to develop new parks, rehabilitate existing spaces and protect vital natural habitats.Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Part of the DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the grants support projects to develop new parks, rehabilitate existing spaces and protect vital natural habitats, officials said. Funding for the 2024 Community Conservation Partnerships Program Fall Grants is provided by the Keystone Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund and federal sources.
In Lehigh County, seven projects were funded, totaling $1,605,400. Five projects were funded in Northampton County, totaling $1,910,000.
Lehigh County projects funded include:
- Coopersburg: $351,000 for payment toward the acquisition of approximately 7.9 acres along Locust Valley Road in Coopersburg Borough and Upper Saucon Township for a new municipal park.
- Fountain Hill: $28,200 to prepare a Feasibility Study for the rehabilitation of the Fountain Hill Community Pool. Work to include an electronic written report.
- Lehigh County: $493,400 for further development of Cedar Creek Parkway West in South Whitehall Township. Work to include construction of access drives and pedestrian walkways; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
- Lehigh County Conservation District: $150,000 for the restoration of approximately 1,500 feet of Little Lehigh Creek in the Lehigh Creek Parkway in Allentown. Work to include stream restoration; installation of fish habitat structures and riparian forest buffer; landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
- Lehigh County Conservation District: $82,800 for the installation of approximately seven acres of riparian forest buffers, one acre of lawn to habitat and three acres of post-planting establishment in the Delaware River Watershed. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements.
- North Whitehall Township: $300,000 for the rehabilitation and further development of Neffs Valley Park. Work to include renovation of access drive; construction of parking area and pedestrian walkways; installation of pedestrian bridge and stormwater management measures; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
- Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley: $200,000 to coordinate and fund an Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program. Work to include an electronic written summary report.
Northampton County projects funded include:
- Bethlehem: $500,000 for payment toward the acquisition of approximately 23.12 acres to provide approximately 0.9 miles of trail for the development of the South Bethlehem Greenway.
- Northampton County: $550,000 for the rehabilitation of Bear Swamp Park in Upper Mount Bethel Township. Work to include construction of internal loop trail and boardwalk; installation of interpretive and wayfinding signs; ADA access, landscaping and a project sign.
- Northampton County: $75,000 to prepare an update to the Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan. Work to include an electronic written report.
- Upper Mount Bethel Township: $600,00 for the rehabilitation of Upper Mount Bethel Preserve. Work to include renovation of trails; construction of pedestrian walkways, trails, boardwalks, overlooks, pavilion, parking area, access drive and stormwater management measures; installation of riparian buffers and interpretive signs; ADA access, landscaping and a project sign.
- Wildlands Conservancy: $185,000 for the restoration of approximately 2.3 miles of the Bushkill Creek in Easton. Work to include dam removal; streambank stabilization; installation of riparian forest buffer; landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
