College Township, Penn State receive grants from DCNR’s C2P2
More than $511,000 awarded to College Township, Penn State
Rep. Paul Takac October 11, 2023 | 2:40 PM
STATE COLLEGE, Oct. 11 – State Rep. Paul Takac, D-Centre, announced today that College Township and the Pennsylvania State University will receive two grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
College Township will receive $153,000 to rehabilitate Spring Creek Park, which will include the renovation of basketball courts, tennis courts, and pedestrian walkways, installation of fencing, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility, landscaping, project signage, and other related site improvements. Penn State will receive a grant totaling $358,600 for the development of the Musser Gap Greenway Trail in Ferguson Township, which will include the rehabilitation of approximately 0.36 miles of the trail, along with stormwater management, ADA accessibility, landscaping, project signage, and other related site improvements.
“These are two projects that I have been deeply involved with since my days serving on College Township Council and in the Centre Region Council of Governments,” Takac said. “This $511,600 in funding from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program will help ensure that these important projects continue to move forward and make these local treasures more accessible and enjoyable for residents of all ages. Rehabilitating Spring Creek Park and developing Musser Gap Greenway Trail will help showcase the best of Centre County and the central Pennsylvania region.”
Kathy Matason, chair of the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority, said, “We congratulate Penn State on this award. The Musser Gap Greenway and Whitehall Road Regional Park will help connect trails in the Centre region. Our two projects will provide access to recreational opportunities that offer health benefits to all those who explore our trails.”
“These initiatives are a testament to the state’s commitment to improving the Centre region’s infrastructure,” said Kristy Owens, director of Centre Region Parks and Recreation. “Connections to corridors such as the Musser Gap Greenway and the Whitehall Road Regional Park allow passage from local roadways, parks and trails to mountainside views and vistas of the beautiful Rothrock State Forest.”
Mike Bloom, assistant township manager, said, “College Township is pleased to receive the $153,000 grant from the DCNR to rehabilitate Spring Creek Park, which has been the cornerstone of our municipal parks and recreation system for over 50 years. This grant will enable the implementation of the first phase of the Spring Creek Master Plan, a comprehensive park rehabilitation and enhancement plan that was the culmination of extensive community outreach. College Township wishes to thank the residents of the township; DCNR; Representative Takac; our state, county and local officials; and our numerous partners for all of their support for this project.”
DCNR’s C2P2 allocates funding for projects related to parks, recreation, and conservation.