McKeesport, Millvale, Sewickley and Mt. Lebanon are among 19 municipalities and organizations that will receive grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Community Conservation Grants will pay for recreation and conservation projects in Allegheny County.

The city of McKeesport will receive a grant for renovation of its parks. Sewickley will construct a boat launch and other improvements to Sewickley Riverfront Park. Millvale will spend $40,000 for development of Riverfront Rail Back Channel Bridge and Mt. Lebanon will make improvements to McNeilly Road Park.

"Communities in Allegheny County are redefining themselves by re-establishing connections to their tremendous rivers, and in the process, spurring economic growth," said Secretary Michael DeBerardinis.

"Our rivers, parks and exceptional landscape offer endless opportunities for recreational activities. I am pleased that Governor Rendell and DCNR have allocated dollars that will impact recreation in every corner of the county and improve the quality of life for our citizens and those visiting southwestern Pennsylvania," said Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.

Grants also were awarded to Collier, Liberty, Moon, North Area Environmental Council, North Fayette, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh Voyager, Riverlife Task Force, Regional Trail Corp., South Fayette, the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh, Upper St. Clair, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Zoological Society of Pittsburgh.

Funding for the grants comes from Growing Greener II, a voter-approved $625 million bond issue and Keystone '93, a DCNR fund generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax.