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Outdoor Places, Shared Spaces.

Featured Project: Highlands Funding Purchases Last Mile to Complete South Bethlehem Greenway
A portion of the South Bethlehem Greenway next to grass and woods beneath a blue sky
Photo: Appalachian Mountain Club
The last gap in the South Bethlehem Greenway has been protected with help from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and federal Highlands Conservation Act funding.
The multiuse trail follows an abandoned rail line through South Bethlehem. The City of Bethlehem has worked to acquire the rail line and develop the trail for more than 15 years. They purchased the first section, about 2.5 miles, in 2008.
Now the final, 0.9-mile segment has been purchased. A DCNR grant funded through the federal Highlands Grant Program supported the acquisition.
The acquisition was a first for the Highlands Grant Program, which funds land protection in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. It was the first time the program had funded a project with a city, and the first piece of land transferred to a non-state entity.
The resulting trail passes through historic South Bethlehem and features access to Lehigh University and the former Bethlehem Steel campus, now a commercial and cultural center.
“Being able to take what was a nuisance—an abandoned rail line that ran through the middle of this area—and purchase it and turn it into this greenway...it's been transformational,” said Laura Collins, director of community and economic development for the city. “We do a lot of programming now on the greenway with local arts organizations or performance art organizations.”
Once construction finishes on the final segment, the trail will extend south to Hellertown, where it will link to the 7.5-mile Saucon Trail. It will also close another of Pennsylvania’s Top Ten Trail Gaps.

Reminder: Register Now for the Annual C2P2 Grant Workshop
If you haven’t registered yet for the annual Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grant workshop, make sure to do so. Anyone applying for a C2P2 grant in 2026 is strongly encouraged to attend.
The virtual workshop is free, but pre-registration is required to ensure attendees receive workshop materials.
Topics covered will include grant program selection criteria, funding priorities, and eligible project types.
The workshop will be on Thursday, November 6 from 9:00 AM to noon. The workshop features a general session, project type-specific breakouts, and ample question-and-answer time with grant managers and regional advisors.
infographic encouraging participation in the annual grant workshop on Thursday, November 6

Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Welcomes New Regional Advisor for Northwest Pennsylvania
Katie Wickert outside in a forest
The Bureau of Recreation and Conservation is excited to introduce its new regional advisor for northwest Pennsylvania, Katie Wickert.
Regional advisors are a first point of contact for technical, funding, and partnership-building assistance for local recreation and conservation projects.
Katie’s region includes 11 counties in northwest Pennsylvania:
  • Clarion
  • Clearfield
  • Crawford
  • Elk
  • Erie
  • Forest
  • Jefferson
  • McKean
  • Mercer
  • Venango
  • Warren
Katie hails from the Borough of Linesville in Crawford County. She most recently served as a local government planning specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Check out the updated regional advisor map for contact information for Katie and all the regional advisors.
map of Bureau of Recreation and Conservation regional advisors

Featured Project: Bloomsburg Area Recreational Trail Improvements Enhance Bike and Pedestrian Use
a jogger on the Bloomsburg Area Recreational Trail
The Bloomsburg Area Recreational Trail along the Susquehanna River
The 2.2-mile Bloomsburg Area Recreational Trail, or BART, is a paved, flat walking and biking path along the Susquehanna River in Columbia County.
In 2019, the Town of Bloomsburg embarked on a walkability and bike trail plan, funded in part by a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) planning grant. The plan identified improvements to enhance bike and pedestrian use throughout Bloomsburg.
In 2022, the town received a second DCNR grant to implement the plan. The work included a mix of new trail construction and trail rehabilitation along the BART.
The result? A popular trail suitable for users of all ages and abilities.
The BART includes views of the Susquehanna River and is within walking distance of a local park, dog park, swimming pool, and downtown shops.
The trail is accessible from trailheads near the Norris E. Rock Swimming Pool and the Rupert Covered Bridge. Other access points also exist along the corridor.
Both DCNR grants were supported through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

Funding Opportunity: Statewide Waterway Access Grants
The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers is accepting applications for Statewide Waterway Access Grants.
The grants are supported by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. DCNR funding comes from the Environmental Stewardship Fund.
The grants provide up to $30,000 to create new or improved access points along the state’s public waterways. A 1:1 match is required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Visit the Statewide Waterway Access story map to see completed and in-progress projects.

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