County parks get $750,000 from state for improvements
Share with others:
A $750,000 state grant will help Allegheny County build new links between its parks and other recreational amenities.
County Executive Dan Onorato and John Surma, chairman of the county's Parks Foundation, formally accepted the money today from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Mr. Onorato immediately matched the state's contribution with funds from a $10 million capital account set up to finance improvements in the county's nine parks.
The $1.5 million will be divided between two of four "signature projects" planned jointly by the county and non-profit foundation created to help raise money for park improvements.
Redevelopment of the South Park Oval will receive $1 million. That work will include reconstruction of an existing track, removal of old bleachers and landscaping. South Park covers more than 2,000 acres in the municipalities of Bethel Park and South Park.
The Settlers Cabin Park connector trail will get $500,000 in state and county funding to cover construction, benches, signs and landscaping. The new connection will link the 1,600 acre park to the Panhandle Trail, a biking and hiking path that runs 29 miles between Carnegie and Weirton, W.Va.
Settlers Cabin is located in Collier, North Fayette and Robinson.
The other two "signature projects" are trail improvements around the recently restored lake in North Park and a connector trail that will link South Park to the Montour Trail.
"These signature projects are just the beginning of what we hope to accomplish," Mr. Surma said at a news conference to announce the state grant.
Allegheny County owns more than 12,000 acres of park land. In an era of tight local budgets and reduced state and federal aid, Mr. Onorato and County Council created the foundation to help raise private money to help pay for park projects.
First Published October 3, 2011 3:18 pm
