Uwchlan, East Brandywine townships receive more than $1M in state DCNR funding
Rep. Danielle Friel Otten October 8, 2026 | 9:11 AM
EXTON, Oct. 8 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, today announced that Uwchlan Township and East Brandywine Township will receive more than $1 million in state funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which announced $81 million in grants Wednesday.
Friel Otten said the funding will support projects that expand recreational opportunities, improve the accessibility of outdoor spaces, and help preserve the natural resources and open spaces that make central Chester County a desirable place to live, work and raise a family.
"I'm excited to see these state investments coming back to our communities to support projects that will expand recreational opportunities, improve accessibility, and strengthen connections between neighborhoods," Friel Otten said. "Projects like these enhance quality of life for residents of all ages while creating community spaces that will be enjoyed for years to come."
The approved projects include:
- $800,000 for the Uwchlan Trail Woodland Connector in Uwchlan Township. The work will include construction of approximately one half mile of trail between Newcomen Road and North Ship Road, an at-grade roadway crossing, ADA accessibility improvements, landscaping and other site improvements.
- $250,000 for East Brandywine Township’s Community Park. The project will include installation of playground equipment and safety surfacing, ADA accessibility improvements and related site enhancements.
"These awards reflect the vision and dedication of local officials who are continually looking for ways to improve their communities and create new opportunities for their residents,” Friel Otten said. “I'm grateful for the work they’ve done to advance these projects, and I am always happy to support their efforts to secure the state funding needed to bring them to life."
The projects are funded by DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Grant Program. The grants are intended to connect Pennsylvanians with the outdoors by supporting recreational improvements, natural-resource conservation, and community revitalization.
The program grants are supported by a variety of state and federal funding sources including the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93), which includes Key-Community and Key-Land Trust; the Environmental Stewardship Fund; the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund; the federal Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program Fund; the Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program; the ATV Management Restricted Account Fund, and the Snowmobile Management Restricted Account Fund.