Municipal Park and Trail Improvements in Pennsylvania

The Municipal Park and Trail Improvement Grants program, part of the Preservation Partnership Grant Program – Round 37, is designed to provide financial assistance to municipalities within Chester County, Pennsylvania, for the development and enhancement of recreational facilities. Eligible applicants include Chester County municipalities, either individually or jointly, as well as land-owning municipal recreation authorities. The program seeks to improve public recreational spaces by funding the construction of new recreational facilities, nature-based environmental improvements, and off-road trails. Eligible projects include the development of athletic fields, playgrounds, pavilions, and nature study areas within parks. Additional funding is available for small-scale ecological enhancements, such as riparian buffer plantings and rain gardens, which contribute to water quality and habitat restoration. Off-road trail construction projects outside of parks are also eligible. However, the property where improvements are made must be municipally owned or under a permanent public-use easement. Furthermore, all funded improvements must be properly maintained and open to the public, with adherence to accessibility regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Ineligible projects include those inconsistent with county policies, construction that began prior to grant approval (unless a Waiver for Retroactivity is obtained), and non-recreational buildings such as memorials, community centers, and maintenance structures. Projects that involve routine maintenance or feasibility studies are also excluded. The program offers funding up to $250,000 or 50% of the project cost for parks larger than 20 acres and up to $100,000 or 25% of the project cost for parks under 20 acres, with a cumulative funding cap of $250,000 for smaller parks. Eligible costs include material purchases, equipment rentals, and approved construction contracts, while administrative and planning expenses are ineligible. Municipalities are encouraged to leverage county funding by securing federal, state, local, or private matching funds. Matching contributions may be in the form of cash, donated materials, equipment, skilled labor, or volunteer labor (valued at $10 per hour). A municipality may submit only one grant application per round and may not have more than two outstanding grants at any given time unless participating in a joint project. The grant contract period is three years, and all funding is distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring municipalities to submit eligible expenses for review. Additional program requirements include recording a Declaration of Public Trust to ensure perpetual public benefit, providing documentation of site ownership, and addressing any potential environmental hazards on the project site. Public acknowledgment of grant funding is required via a permanent sign at the project location. Cooperative projects involving multiple municipalities must formalize their agreements and financial commitments. In cases where a municipality intends to transfer land containing county-funded improvements, prior approval from the county is necessary, and public access must be maintained or increased.