Sappey announces more than $239,000 for environmental projects

HARRISBURG, Sept. 20 – State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, today announced two grants totaling $239,037 were awarded to projects in the 158th Legislative District.

The funding was provided through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Act 13 grant programs.

Kennett Square Borough will receive $125,000 through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Grant Program to restore Red Clay Park. The borough is proposing a transformative urban green space, trail, and ecological restoration project in the heart of the community. The project includes the removal of invasive species along the creek and stabilization of the streambank through riparian buffer plantings. In addition, the borough will construct creek access and new portions of trailways with picnic tables and welcome signs.

“I was happy to support Kennett Square Borough’s application for these funds,” said Sappey. “The Red Clay Park and Creek Restoration Project will provide environmental and recreational benefits in an optimal location, creating key pedestrian connections to Kennett High School, the YMCA, the new library, Anson B. Nixon Park, local businesses and more.”

Over the past decade the borough, in partnership with the Kennett Trails Alliance, has advanced the Kennett Greenway, a planned 14-plus-mile pedestrian and bicycle loop to connect the borough to everyday destinations. The greenway will run through 30 acres of urbanized, degraded riparian landscape along the east branch of the Red Clay Creek in the center of the borough.

Also, the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance received $114,037 through the Watershed Restoration and Protection Grant Program for the restoration of Bucktoe Creek located in New Garden Township. In a 2020 PADEP Integrated Water Quality and Assessment report, Bucktoe Creek was listed as impaired. 

The Brandywine Red Clay Alliance has a strong reputation for their local stream restoration work, and I’m pleased to see this grant awarded. Riparian buffers are an important investment as they prevent flooding and streambank erosion while providing natural habitats on land and clean waterways for aquatic habitats,” said Sappey.

The proposed work will improve water quality and the in-stream habitat of Bucktoe Creek. The work will also include a combination of streambank stabilization, reconnection of the stream to the active floodplain, installation of in-stream habitat structures, placement of anchored, large, woody debris, and riparian buffer plantings. This project will restore 1,850 feet of stream and create over 1.3 acres of new, native riparian buffer in existing lawn areas.

Anyone with questions should contact Sappey’s office at (484) 200-8264 or RepSappey@pahouse.net.