HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro recently announced nearly $82 million in new state funding to support more than 295 recreation and conservation projects across Pennsylvania, a sweeping investment aimed at expanding outdoor access, protecting natural resources, and strengthening local communities statewide.
The funding, administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will support projects in 58 counties through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program, touching everything from neighborhood parks and playgrounds to major trail corridors, river access points, and land conservation efforts. State officials said the grants are designed to spur economic growth while improving quality of life in both urban and rural areas.
“The outdoors are for everyone — whether you enjoy spending time at a local park, out on the water, or on a trail,” Shapiro said in a statement. He said the investment will help communities improve parks, build new trails, and protect the natural places that have helped make Pennsylvania a major outdoor destination.
The latest round builds on the 2025–26 state budget, which included a $13 million increase for DCNR, and follows a separate $2.1 million announcement supporting nine ATV and snowmobile facilities and trail projects. Officials said the combined funding reflects a broader push to expand public lands, combat invasive species, and invest in heritage areas across the Commonwealth.
DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said the grants are about more than recreation. She described local parks, trails, and green spaces as gathering places that improve health, strengthen neighborhoods, and help communities thrive over the long term.
Since Shapiro took office, Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry has grown by 10 percent, adding $2 billion to the state economy and nearly 4,000 jobs, according to state figures based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The industry now supports more than 168,000 jobs statewide, representing about two percent of Pennsylvania’s gross domestic product.
The funding package includes $31.3 million for park, recreation, and conservation facilities; $16.2 million to conserve nearly 4,900 acres of land and expand public access; $13.1 million for statewide and regional conservation organizations; $9.5 million for trail planning and development; $8.2 million for community and watershed forestry projects; and $3.2 million for river conservation initiatives.
Among the highlighted projects, the Regional Trail Corporation received $750,000 to improve the Great Allegheny Passage in Allegheny County with added ADA access, while the York County Rail Trail Authority was awarded $700,000 to advance the Hanover Trolley Trail, including a pedestrian bridge and trailhead improvements. Conservation grants include $1.5 million to protect more than 670 acres in Lawrence County and $1.2 million to preserve open space in Chester County.
Pennsylvania currently has more than 6,400 local parks, 124 state parks, over 14,000 miles of trails, and roughly 84,000 miles of waterways, attracting an estimated 38 million visitors each year. DCNR officials said the new funding also supports the long-term goal of ensuring every Pennsylvanian lives within 10 minutes of a trail.
A full list of grants awarded by county is available through DCNR’s grants portal at https://apps.dcnr.pa.gov/grants/.
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