EXTON, PA — Two Chester County townships will receive $1.05 million in state grants to construct a new trail connection and upgrade a community playground, directing public investment toward recreational infrastructure and accessibility improvements in Uwchlan and East Brandywine townships.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources approved $800,000 for the Uwchlan Trail Woodland Connector and $250,000 for East Brandywine Township’s Community Park, according to state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester.
The awards are part of $81 million in statewide grants distributed through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Grant Program, which supports park development, recreational infrastructure and natural-resource conservation.
Uwchlan Township will use its $800,000 allocation to construct approximately half a mile of trail between Newcomen Road and North Ship Road.
The project includes an at-grade roadway crossing, improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, landscaping and related site work. The connector is intended to strengthen the township’s recreational trail network and improve connections between neighborhoods.
East Brandywine Township will receive $250,000 for improvements to its Community Park, including new playground equipment, safety surfacing and accessibility upgrades.
The investment will support improvements to existing recreational facilities, with a focus on making playground areas more accessible to residents with disabilities.
Friel Otten characterized the grants as investments in public infrastructure that will expand recreational access and improve connections between communities.
“Projects like these enhance quality of life for residents of all ages while creating community spaces that will be enjoyed for years to come,” Friel Otten stated.
The funding comes through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Grant Program, which finances local recreation, conservation and community revitalization projects throughout Pennsylvania.
The program draws on multiple state and federal funding sources, including the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund and federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Additional funding sources include federal recreational trails programs and state accounts supporting heritage areas and motorized recreation.
The two Chester County projects account for $1.05 million of the $81 million statewide allocation, with Uwchlan Township receiving the larger share for trail construction and East Brandywine Township receiving funding for playground improvements.
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