Regional Parks Mini-Grant Program Now Open

The regional planning Mini-Grant program previously has helped fund improvements in Murgia Park in West Pottsgrove.

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee. 

A new round of a "mini-grant" program to help eight area towns spruce up their parks has begun.

Officials in Douglass Township, Lower Pottsgrove, New Hanover, Pottstown, West Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgrove, East Coventry and North Coventry have until Oct. 31 to apply.

Applicants may request up to $25,000 for their proposed project, and grant applications and guidelines are available at pottstownmetroregion.com/mini-grant-program.

The program is run by the The Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee , with funding support from the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Funding is for projects that supports the planning and development of community park improvements.

Program Impact

The purpose of the Pottstown Regional Parks Mini-Grant Program is to support and implement the recommendations included in the comprehensive regional parks study, Planning and Design Strategies for Healthy Living, Parks, and Recreation in the Pottstown Region, which outlines strategies to enhance the regional park system. 

The study recommendations are consistent with the regional comprehensive plan and the Pennsylvania Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan recommendations. The funding from this program will assist municipalities in undertaking planning and development projects that add and enhance amenities to existing park facilities and open spaces.

Preference for funding will be given to proposals that align with local, regional, and statewide plans; promote the health and well-being of area residents; engage the public in the planning, design, implementation, and stewardship of the project; and incorporate green and sustainable management practices.

Program Partners

DCNR is the primary source of state support for Pennsylvania recreation, parks, and conservation initiatives. Grant funding from DCNR assists hundreds of communities and organizations across Pennsylvania to plan, acquire, and develop recreation and park facilities, create trails, and conserve open space. 

This mini-grant funding was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. 

Visit www.pottstownfoundation.org for more information about the foundation and discover all of the recreation opportunities that the Pottstown Region has to offer with the recently launched Outdoor Activity Finder.

Grant Amount

Applicants may request up to $25,000 for their proposed project. Mini-grants may not be used to fulfill match requirements for other DCNR-funded grant projects.

Instructions

Applications will be accepted until October 31. For more information about the program, to access application materials, and to view projects that have been funded through this program since its inception, please visit the Pottstown Metropolitan Region Planning Committee’s website at https://pottstownmetroregion.com/.