Pennsylvania DCNR logo

Bureau of Recreation and Conservation
DCNR Grants News Head Banner

Recreation for all.

Featured Project: White Mills River Access Expands Boating, Fishing Options on Lackawaxen River
people gather to celebrate the opening of the White Mills River Access
canoe paddles and green funding sign overlook the White Mills River Access
DCNR and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have teamed up with local partners to expand public river access in northeast Pennsylvania.
The new White Mills River Access in Texas Township, Wayne County adds a boat ramp and ADA-designed fishing pier to the Lackawaxen River.
Other amenities at the site include parking, restrooms, a benches, picnic tables, and a walking trail.
DCNR supported the project with a grant from the Rivers Conservation Program. Funding came from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.
The White Mills project is part of a trio of access points that together provide the first official public access to the Lackawaxen River.
The other completed access point is in Hawley, with the third still in progress in Honesdale.
The access points are also part of a planned multi-modal trail on land and water that will connect Honesdale to Hawley.
Among the project’s key partners are Lackawaxen River Trails, Wayne County, Honesdale Borough, and the Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape.

Allegheny River Honored as 2024 River of the Year
DCNR Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz recently honored the Allegheny River as Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year during a celebration at Allegheny RiverTrail Park.
“The Allegheny River is an important part of Pennsylvania’s natural history and beauty, so it is great to celebrate all that the river offers and its impact on the Commonwealth,” Jantz said. “Congratulations to Three Rivers Waterkeeper and the community of supporters who uplifted this special river.”
The historic Allegheny River starts as a stream in Potter County, meandering through a field of wildflowers before crossing briefly through New York and then through six counties in Western Pennsylvania.
The 325-mile river ends in Pittsburgh where it meets the Monongahela River and flows into the Ohio River, providing drinking water to more than one million people and acting as an ecologically and economically precious water trail.
Three Rivers Waterkeeper nominated the Allegheny River. The organization received a $10,000 Leadership Grant to help fund a slate of year-long 2024 River of the Year activities.
landscape view of the Allegheny River with forested mountains on either side

Featured Project: Orkney Park in Philadelphia Receives Permanent Protection

Orkney Park ribbon cutting
Philadelphia’s Friends of Orkney Park recently celebrated a newly preserved, community-managed open space in their neighborhood.
What started as a vision of two people culminated in The Friends of Orkney Park, Neighborhood Gardens Trust, Penn Treaty Special Services District, DCNR, and many residents celebrating the permanent protection of 0.15 acres along a narrow, historic cobblestone street.
DCNR’s $400,000 acquisition grant made it possible for Neighborhood Gardens Trust, Philadelphia’s land trust for community gardens and green spaces, to purchase the land and permanently protect Orkney Park.
Known locally as “Our Last Wilderness,” the forested patch is beloved by the community as demonstrated through educational programs, maintenance, and community events.
As part of the ribbon cutting celebration, adults and children roamed the site with magnifying glasses taking part in the “City Nature Challenge.” They identified wild plants, animals, or signs of life they encountered and contributed local wildlife data to the project.

Annual Trails Report Published
The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee recently released the 2023 Annual Trails Report.
The report recognizes accomplishments of trails across the Commonwealth.
According to the report, in 2023 DCNR invested $9.3 million in further progressing trail connections in Pennsylvania, adding to nearly $10.4 million in matching funds invested by local partners.
That funding will help construct or rehabilitate seven bridges, six tunnels, 16 trailheads, and 48 miles of trails.
The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee is charged with implementing the development of a statewide land and water trail network to facilitate recreation, transportation, and healthy lifestyles for all. The 20-member DCNR-appointed volunteer committee represents both motorized and non-motorized trail users and advises the Commonwealth about the use of state and federal trail funding.

Park and Recreation Professionals Day Toolkit Available
Park and Recreation Professionals Day is coming up soon, on Friday, July 19.
The Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society has published a toolkit to help recreation and park agencies honor their working professionals on or around the holiday.
The toolkit includes sample press releases, social media posts, proclamations, logos, and more.

Dates to Remember
Calendar icon
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
400 Market St
Harrisburg, PA | 17105 US
This email was sent to dhess@paenvironmentnews.com.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
powered by emma