Powell: over $1.5 million in state conservation grants for Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced that a total of more than $1.5 million in state conservation grants has been awarded to four projects in the city of Pittsburgh.

Powell collaborated with fellow Allegheny County state Reps. Aerion A. Abney, Abigail Salisbury and Jessica Benham and fellow county state Sens. Jay Costa and Wayne Fontana to secure $604,400 in Community Conservation Partnerships Program funds for the coordination of an Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program in the Steel City by the Student Conservation Association Inc.

She also joined a long list of state lawmakers who helped to provide a $600,000 C2P2 grant for the coordination and funding of an Urban Wood Reuse Project and Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program by the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps.

Powell and Fontana facilitated $250,000 in C2P2 funding to rehabilitate and further develop Spring Hill Park. Work will include:

  • Renovation of baseball fields.
  • Construction of basketball and pickleball court, splash pad, internal loop trail, pedestrian walkway, access drive and parking area.
  • Installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, fitness equipment, utilities and fencing.
  • ADA access.
  • Landscaping.
  • Other related site improvements.

In addition, Powell and Allegheny County state Reps. Abney and La’Tasha D. Mayes and county state Sens. Fontana and Lindsey Williams secured a $102,200 C2P2 grant for the acquisition of approximately 8.94 acres in Pittsburgh for open space and passive recreation.

“Making sizable investments in Pittsburgh’s natural surroundings and growing more employment opportunities for prospective job seekers is a win-win for the environmental and economic stability of the Steel City. Accessible, beautiful green spaces are crucial to improving the health and well-being of our long-time residents, new neighbors and visitors,” Powell said. “Thank you to all my state legislative partners for their work in procuring these grants.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources’ C2P2 Program offers a wide range of grant and technical assistance programs to help communities, land conservancies and non-profit organizations plan, acquire and develop conservation facilities, greenways, heritage areas, critical habitats, open spaces and related features.

A list of grant recipients statewide is available here.