Abington and Springfield townships received grants towards outdoor recreation

On September 24th, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a new Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and the recipients of 2020 grants for community parks, small communities, and partnerships.

The new plan, Recreation for All, is a blueprint including 20 recommendations and 70 action steps for meeting the outdoor recreation needs across the state.

Grants announced are the core of the department’s municipal investment program, providing for planning and development or rehabilitation of local community parks and recreation facilities.

“Now more than ever, we have experienced the impact of outdoor recreation on our mental and physical wellbeing,” Dunn said. “Pennsylvania’s new outdoor recreation plan serves as a blueprint on how we can make outdoor recreation accessible to every Pennsylvanian.”

Locally, Abington Township received $115,000 towards the further development of Ardsley Wildlife Sanctuary. The funding will pay for the construction of walkways, observation areas, fencing, ADA access, landscaping, and other improvements.

Springfield Township received 134,300 for improvements of James A. Cisco Park such as the construction of a pavilion and parking area, installation of playground equipment and safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, and other improvements.

You can view all of the grant recipients here.

Photo: Abington Shade Tree Commission