Venkat: Over $333,000 in state conservation grants for local communities and over half a million dollars for Pittsburgh
Rep. Arvind Venkat November 13, 2024 | 2:58 PM
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat announced that $333,200 in state conservations grants were awarded to two projects in Pennsylvania’s 30th Legislative District in McCandless and Franklin Park, along with over half a million related dollars for the city of Pittsburgh.
“As a practicing emergency physician, I’m keenly aware of the importance exercise and green space are for our overall well-being, and these funds will help our community have fun and stay healthy at the same time. Growing recreational opportunities and taking care of our surroundings will make our communities more appealing to residents and visitors alike and do our part for the planet too,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “Thank you to all my state legislative partners for their work in procuring these grants.”
Venkat and state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, helped facilitate $288,400 in Community Conservation Partnership Program funds for rehabilitating North Park in McCandless Township. Work will include:
- Construction of a pedestrian walkway.
- Parking area and stormwater management.
- Installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing and fencing.
- ADA access.
- Landscaping.
- Other related site improvements.
“North Park is a destination for so many people in our region, whether it’s to walk, bike, row, ice skate or celebrate with friends and family. This investment in keeping the park safe and accessible for everyone will ensure that the next generation of Pittsburghers gets to enjoy the great outdoors and all the physical and mental health benefits that come with getting outside,” Williams said. “I’m proud to have joined Rep. Venkat in advocating for this funding and I look forward to seeing these new projects come to life.”
A C2P2 grant of $44,800 was also secured by Venkat and several state legislators to update the Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan for Franklin Park Borough.
In addition, Venkat joined a long list of state lawmakers who helped make possible $600,000 in C2P2 dollars for the coordination and funding of an Urban Wood Reuse Project and Urban and Community Forestry workforce development program by the Pittsburgh Conservation Corps.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ C2P2 Program offers a wide range of grant and technical assistance programs to help communities, land conservancies and nonprofit organizations plan, acquire and develop conservation facilities, greenways, heritage areas, critical habitats, open spaces and related features.
A list of all grant recipients statewide is available here.