Senator Santarsiero and Representative Warren Announce More Than $1,500,000 in State Funds for Multiple Community Improvement Projects

hikingImage by Mickey Estes

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Perry Warren (D-31) recently announced $1,527,051 in state funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Local Share Account Statewide Program for community improvement projects based in Lower Makefield Township, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, and Yardley Borough.

The projects and the awarded amounts are as follows:

  • Lower Makefield Township: $900,000 for Memorial Park
  • Newtown Borough: $30,000 for Sidewalk & Trail Study
  • Newtown Township: $534,221 for Business Commons Improvements
  • Yardley Borough: $62,830 for an Open Space Project

“The 10th Senate District is filled with beautiful spaces that deserve to be utilized by residents and visitors to their full potential,” said Senator Santarsiero. “I was happy to support these projects, which will improve the economic and recreational potential of these areas, bringing substantial benefit to these vibrant communities.”

“Open spaces, trails and parks are integral to and valuable assets of our communities and these grants make a sizeable investment in expanding the scope of and access to our open spaces,” said Representative Warren. “Thank you to all of the people who worked for our communities in securing these grants and who will make the expansion and improved accessibility a reality for our residents and visitors.”

Lower Makefield Township will use the funds for continued improvement projects at Memorial Park. Once completed, the park will include a playground, picnic pavilion, horseshoe pits, bocce courts, exercise stations, a gazebo, and walking paths.

“This funding will enable us to get closer to fully realizing the vision established in the initial master plan for Memorial Park by the community approximately 15 to 20 years ago,” said Lower Makefield Township Manager David Kratzer. “We thank Senator Santarsiero and Representative Warren for their continued support of the Lower Makefield Township community, and we truly value our partnership.”

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The funds for Newtown Borough will be used to conduct a comprehensive study of sidewalks and trails in order to prioritize the current needs of residents and visitors, ultimately helping the borough develop a long-term plan for pedestrian traffic.

“We are grateful to have been identified for this grant distribution, and I hope it yields wonderful results for the Borough,” said Newtown Borough Council President Tara Grunde-McLaughlin.

Newtown Township will use the funds to construct ADA curb ramps and improve its current stormwater management system throughout the business commons area. This will be done in conjunction with an ongoing sidewalk project, ultimately improving pedestrian safety and the walkability of the business commons.

“We are very grateful for this funding to improve accessibility and pedestrian safety in the Newtown Business Commons. This grant will go toward construction of ADA ramps and stormwater management,” said Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Chair Dennis Fisher.

The funds for Yardley Borough will be used to purchase a 1.26-acre lot, owned by PECO, that is currently vacant. This lot will be redeveloped into preserved open space and a trailhead to the Delaware Canal Towpath.

Yardley Borough Council President Caroline Thompson said, “Yardley Borough is grateful for the advocacy of Senator Santarsiero and Rep Warren to secure funding for us to purchase a plot of land currently owned by PECO for open space. The lot, located at Fuld Rd. and Morgan Ave., is completely within a class-A flood zone making it unsuitable for development. However, because the land borders the canal tow-path and the Yardley Borough owned Mary Yardley Bridge, it represents a phenomenal opportunity for passive recreation, connectivity of the borough to the canal, parking and event space. Canal-o-ween already utilizes this space each year. We are so excited to formally acquire this property and ensure its future as undeveloped open space! Without the support of Senator Santarsiero and Rep Warren, this purchase would have been out of reach for the borough.”

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The funds come from the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. They support a variety of community projects and can be used for any project that serves the public interest and improves the quality of life for members of the community.

For more information on the Local Share Account Statewide Program, visit the DCED website.

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