Rep Bizzarro: Erie County awarded more than $1.4 million

Recipients across Erie County are part of PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ 2021 Community Conservation Program

ERIE, Dec. 30 – State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, today announced nearly $1.44 million in grant funding for conservation and improvement projects in the region.

“Erie County is home to some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to preserving what we have here,” Bizzarro said. “Whether it be Asbury Woods, the Erie Zoo, our hundreds of miles of trails, or our lakes and streams, there is so much for the people of Erie and those visiting to do.”

Grant dollars were awarded to specific entities in Erie County to provide resources they need to complete various projects:

  • Asbury Woods Partnership Inc. – $271,000 to be used for the acquisition of approximately 52 acres in Millcreek Township for an addition to Asbury Woods Park.
  • Corry City – $73,000 for development of the Corry Junction Greenway Trail in Corry City, including approximately 0.4 miles of trail from Route 6 to Elk Street, and a trailhead with ADA access, landscaping, and other related site improvements.
  • Erie Zoological Society – $500,000 to rehab the Erie Zoo Giraffe Exhibit, including renovation and construction of the giraffe exhibit and public viewing structures.
  • McKean Area Snowmobile Club Inc. – $27,200 for purchasing of equipment to construct and maintain approximately 32 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie County.
  • Presque Isle Snowmobile Club Inc. – $27,600 will be used to purchase equipment to construct and maintain approximately 36 miles of snowmobile trails in Millcreek, Greenfield, and Summit townships and Waterford Borough.
  • Springfield Township – $70,000 for the rehabilitation of Raccoon Creek Park, including construction of pedestrian walkway, installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing, ADA access, landscaping, and other related site improvements.
  • Wales Sno-Drifters Inc. – $38,200 for purchasing equipment to construct and maintain approximately 50 miles of snowmobile trails in Greene Township and Wattsburg Borough.
  • Western Pennsylvania Conservancy – $105,000 for restoring 558 feet of Elk Creek in Girard Township. This work includes stream bank stabilization, installation of in-stream habitat structure, and other related site improvements.
  • Western Pennsylvania Conservancy – $327,000 will be used to pay for a conservation easement on approximately 357 acres in Union Township for critical habitat protection and passive recreation.

This funding is part of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ 2021 Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which is funded with a variety of state and federal sources. Bizzarro and his colleagues work with local leaders, members of government and DCNR to review grant applications and achieve success in the process.

“I’ll fight for every dollar we need so that our region stays home to some of the most beautiful outdoor areas in all of Pennsylvania,” added Bizzarro. “Anyone interested in applying for future grants should contact my office.”

For more information about these grants and to learn about future opportunities to apply, resident may visit: dcnr.pa.gov and contact Bizzarro’s office.