Boscola Announces $1,725,000 in Park, Trail & Conservation Grants for Four Northampton County Projects including additional funding for South Bethlehem Greenway

Boscola Announces $1,725,000 in Park, Trail & Conservation Grants for Four Northampton County Projects including additional funding for South Bethlehem Greenway

November 19, 2024

BETHLEHEM (November 19, 2024) - Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton) announced this year's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grants totaling $1,725,000 have been awarded for four important park, trail and conservation projects in Northampton County including additional funding for the South Bethlehem Greenway and funding for two projects in Upper Mount Bethel Township.

"Last October, I joined Governor Shapiro in Bethlehem to announce a grant award to the City of Bethlehem for the South Bethlehem Greenway project and now the state has continued its commitment to this critical project with an additional grant award of $500,000," Senator Boscola stated. "I am also very pleased of the state investment to assist Upper Mount Bethel Township in moving forward with its Preserve project."

The Commonwealth has recognized the importance of the South Bethlehem Greenway through investing more than $2.8 million in the project with this additional funding.

"The South Bethlehem Greenway project is a perfect example of the benefits of state government investing in communities on these types of conservation projects," Boscola added. "When completed an old rail line will be transformed into a city park that will connect the neighbors of the southside and become a community-connector; connecting Bethlehem with Hellertown and other communities. It will draw more people to these Northampton County communities to make this a community and economic development project."

Four grants through the C2P2 program were awarded to Northampton County projects:

• Bethlehem City, $500,000, Payment toward the acquisition of approximately 23.12 acres in Bethlehem City, Northampton County, to provide approximately 0.9 miles of trail for the development of South Bethlehem Greenway.
• Northampton County, $550,000, Rehabilitation of Bear Swamp Park in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County. Work to include construction of internal loop trail and boardwalk; installation of interpretive and wayfinding signage; ADA access, landscaping and project sign.
• Upper Mount Bethel Township, $600,000, Rehabilitation of Upper Mount Bethel Preserve in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County. Work to include renovation of trails; construction of pedestrian walkways, trails, boardwalks, overlooks, pavilion, parking area, access drive and stormwater management measures; installation of riparian buffers and interpretive signage; ADA access, landscaping and project sign.

• Northampton County, $75,000, Prepare an update to the Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan for Northampton County. Work to include an electronic written report.

"Community parks, trails and open space play an invaluable role in the quality of life of a community. Through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the Commonwealth is able to partner with local governments to improve community parks, trails to enhance open space and thus improve the quality of life of our region," Boscola said.

The C2P2 program is administered by DCNR's Bureau of Recreation and Conservation to provide financial and technical assistance to local governments, rail and trail organizations, land trusts and other non-profits for park, recreation, conservation and greenway projects. The grant program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding sources including the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key); the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF); the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) subject to National Park Service approval; the federal Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program (PRT), and the Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program (HA).

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