Grant to boost Cambria County tourism, outdoor opportunities

PATTON, Aug. 10 – As a longtime supporter of outdoor recreation and tourism in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, was proud to help Rock Run Recreation secure a $53,800 state grant to help maintain its 140-mile outdoor recreation trail system.

“Thanks to this grant, Rock Run will be able to continue to support its trail system and introduce more people to the wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities in Cambria County,” Burns said. “The outdoors are a vital natural resource to our area’s economy. By investing in them we not only bring in tourists and visitors and help safeguard the environment, but we’re also promoting active, outdoor lifestyles that can benefit people’s health as well.”

As the premier ATV recreation park east of the Mississippi, Rock Run Recreation includes more than 6,000 acres and 140-miles of outdoor trails for ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes, set amid the Allegheny Mountains in northern Cambria and southern Clearfield counties.

Burns’ office helped Rock Run with its grant application to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s Community Conservation Partnerships program, a service which he provides to organization and nonprofits through his district office. Any entities within the 72nd Legislative District that need assistance in applying for a grant can contact the Portage office at (814) 736-7339 and ask for Brittany Blackham, grants and development specialist.

“By working with groups in our region, we’ve been able to ensure that our tax dollars are being reinvested in our communities,” Burns said.