EASTON, PA — Pennsylvania is pouring nearly $82 million into parks, trails, and conservation projects across the Commonwealth, funding 295 initiatives in 58 counties in one of the state’s largest recent investments aimed at expanding outdoor access and strengthening local communities.
The funding, announced Friday by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will support a wide range of recreation and conservation efforts, from trail construction and park rehabilitation to land acquisition, watershed restoration, and greenway development.
State officials highlighted the scope of the investment as a significant statewide effort to create new recreational opportunities, protect natural resources, and drive economic activity tied to outdoor recreation. The grants are administered through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program and draw from multiple state and federal funding sources.
Speaking in Easton, Austin Davis said the funding reflects a commitment to projects that deliver tangible benefits to residents and communities, particularly those that reconnect people to green space and improve quality of life. DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said the investments are designed to link neighborhoods to trails and parks while transforming underused spaces into community assets that support both recreation and local businesses.
One of the projects spotlighted Friday was a $500,000 grant to support the Easton Highline, a plan to transform a long-dormant rail corridor into a public greenway and trail system connecting downtown Easton to regional trail networks. State officials said the broader $82 million funding package will have similar impacts in communities across Pennsylvania, particularly in areas with limited access to outdoor recreation.
DCNR said grant applications for the next round of Community Conservation Partnerships Program funding are now open, with submissions accepted through April 30, 2026. A complete list of funded projects by county and application details are available through the department’s website.
State leaders said the investment positions Pennsylvania to continue expanding outdoor access while supporting conservation, tourism, and long-term community resilience statewide.
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