August 12, 2026

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) staff recently joined with state and local officials to celebrate the grand re-opening of Chester Ash Memorial Park, the City of Coatesville’s largest park.

The project included new basketball courts, spray park, pavilion, walkways, and more.

“To see this completed is just, like, wow,” said Charrisse Allen, a Coatesville city council member. “The park area, the swings and stuff, it’s just, wow. It’s beautiful.”

DCNR has partnered with Coatesville on this project since 2018, when the agency provided a Planning grant to support creation of a Master Plan for the park. Later, the agency provided more than $1.6 million in Rehabilitation and Development grants to support construction costs.

“DCNR’s role was pivotal,” said Roberta Cosentino, Assistant City Manager for Coatesville. “DCNR helped fund a large part of this project…and the entire team really helped us from start to finish.”

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is now accepting applications for the fall round of Motorized Trails and Recreation grants.

This grant opportunity was previously called the ATV and Snowmobile grants. DCNR updated the name to make it clearer that the grants can support other types of off-road motorized vehicle projects, such as recreational trails and facilities for off-highway motorcycles and four-wheel drive vehicles.

The grant round is open through 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 30. Submit all applications through DCNR’s Grants Customer Service Portal.

Funding for these grants comes from the fees riders pay to register their ATVs and snowmobiles in Pennsylvania. Funding also comes from the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program, supported by the Federal Highway Administration.

Registration is now open for both the 2026 Eastern and Western Pennsylvania Greenways and Trails Summits.

Both summits will bring trail, greenway, and community leaders together to discuss trails and topics related to them.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Summit will take place September 16-18 in Bethlehem. The Western Pennsylvania Summit will take place August 26-27 in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources helps fund both summits with a grant from the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program.

Registration is now open for the 2026 Municipal Open Space Summit, hosted by WeConservePA.

Pennsylvania municipalities have opportunities to protect parks, farms, natural areas, and other open space for their local communities. Join municipal leaders, staff, elected officials, volunteers, and conservation partners for this inaugural event focused on strengthening local open space protection efforts.

The program features two educational tracks. One will help municipalities administer existing open space protection programs. The other will advise communities interested in pursuing a dedicated open space tax or bond referendum.

Throughout the day, attendees will gain practical guidance, learn from experienced professionals, and build valuable connections with others committed to preserving open space in their communities.

The summit will take place Friday, November 13 in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.