September 13, 2022
BUCKS COUNTY – September 13, 2022 – Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced today that Doylestown Borough was awarded a grant for $250,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for the further development of Broad Commons Park.
The expansion of Broad Commons Park is the second phase of the Borough’s project to develop the park, providing a playground for children ages 5-12, including custom and inclusive play structures. The project will also include required safety surfacing, fencing, ADA access and landscaping.
“The Broad Commons Park development project has been transformative for Doylestown Borough, remediating the former PennDOT maintenance site and turning it into a green space for our entire community to enjoy,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “The addition of the Tot Lot will make the park a great option for families, provide increased recreational opportunities for area youth, and highlight the legacy of Henry Mercer and the rich history of our region with tilework and artistic design.”
The state grant is through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program. Funds from this program had already been awarded for 2022, but an additional grant round was added with funds from this year’s 2022-2023 budget.
Sen. Santarsiero applauded the availability of additional funds saying, “This year’s budget saw historic investments in the outdoors and our park system. Thank you, Governor Wolf for your continued commitment to conservation and outdoor recreation projects like the Broad Commons Park project.”
In 2019, Senator Santarsiero secured $1.5 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funds to acquire and redevelop the existing PennDOT maintenance facility on the corner of North Broad and Doyle streets to build a new Doylestown Borough Hall, the Central Bucks Regional Police Department and Broad Commons Park.
The second phase of the park project will cost $584,667, with the additional funding provided through a local match.
For more information on the Community Conservation Partnership Program, visit the DCNR website.
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May 14, 2021
Washington Crossing, PA − May 14, 2021 − Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced the start of an $8.7 million project to conserve and improve 17 historic and other structures at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County.
“We’re pleased to get this project underway to help to protect the cultural and historical significance of some of the buildings at Washington Crossing and continue the site’s historic legacy for the public’s education and enrichment,” Dunn said at a groundbreaking today where she joined local officials and partners.
The 500-acre park that lies along the Delaware River preserves the site of George Washington’s dramatic boat crossing during the American Revolution.
A National Historic Landmark, it has an upper and a lower section.
Together they include historic buildings that give many clues about living conditions during the Revolutionary era.
The following buildings are included in the project:
- McConkey’s Ferry Inn: new roof, window and door restoration, masonry, HVAC, exterior
- Mahlon Taylor residence: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior
- Amos Taylor residence: new roof, window and door restoration, electric, exterior
- Frederick Taylor house: window and door restoration, plumbing, exterior
- Elmer Buckman residence: new roof, window and door restoration, electric, exterior
- Eliza Taylor residence: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior
- Hibbs House: new roof; window and door restoration, masonry, plumbing, interior, exterior
- Frye House: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior
- Andrassy House: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior
- Taylorsville General Store: new roof, window and door restoration, interior, exterior
- Oliver Taylor residence: new roof, window and door restoration, exterior
- Thompson Neely house: new roof, window and door restoration, masonry, HVAC, exterior
- Thompson Neely restroom: plumbing, electric, interior
- Blacksmith Shop: new roof, exterior
- General Washington Pavilion: new roof, masonry repairs
- General Washington Bathhouse: new plumbing
- Bowman’s Hill Tower: parking lot and road improvements
The contractor for the project is Wu & Associates of Mount Laurel, New Jersey. The work already has begun.
Washington Crossing became Pennsylvania’s 121st state park in February 2016 when it was transferred to DCNR from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Opportunities for recreation at Washington Crossing include river access for fishing; walking trails; and pavilions for picnicking.
The park and the Friends of Washington Crossing provide historical and environmental education programs, as well as hosting special events and re-enactments.
Attendance at Washington Crossing Historic Park was almost 900,000 visits in 2020, an increase of more than 56 percent, as many people took to the outdoors during the pandemic for well-being and activity.
Find more information about Washington Crossing and all of Pennsylvania’s 121 state parks on the DCNR website.
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October 8, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – October 8, 2020 – There will be an additional 15 acres of State Game Lands in Haycock Township, thanks to a grant for $81,2000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, announced State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Wendy Ullman (D-143) today. Natural Lands Trust will receive the funds as payment towards the acquisition of property under DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant program.
“Open space acquisition is an important part of preserving land in our area, which benefits both outdoor enthusiasts and the environment,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “This property in Haycock Township offers outdoor recreation and activities for sportsmen, which will be enjoyed by our community and drive visitors to our area, benefiting our local economy.”
“This 15 acre acquisition of State Game Lands in Haycock Township will be a welcome addition to public space,” said Rep. Ullman. “These public lands are used all year long by hikers as well as by hunters during hunting season.”
The DCNR Recreation and Conservation grant program is funded with 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 (ESF); the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF); Pennsylvania Trails fund (PRT – federal source); Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program (HA); and the ATV Restricted Management Account Fund (ATV).
For more information on the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants, visit the DCNR website.
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November 14, 2019
BUCKS COUNTY – November 14, 2019 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced the award of $152,800 in grant funding through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Community Parks and Recreation Grant program for New Britain Civic Association and Sellersville Borough for improvements to Covered Bridge and Lenape Parks.
New Britain Civic Association was awarded $30,300 to prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 14-acre Covered Bridge Park in New Britain Borough and the abutting 5.8-acre Orchard Park in Doylestown Township.
Sellersville Borough was awarded $122,500 for the rehabilitation of Lenape Park. Work will include the renovation of pedestrian walkways and parking area, construction of stormwater management measures, installation of fencing, accessibility compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landscaping, project signage, and related site improvements.
“The vital, often overlooked, work being done by municipalities and non-profits, like Sellersville Borough and the New Britain Civic Association, to maintain and improve our local parks is a testament to their commitment to building a more vibrant community for all,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “These projects will improve park safety and accessibility so that residents can enjoy all the recreational amenities offered.”
“Covered Bridge Park is such a beautiful location and this grant will help to make an already wonderful place into yet another shining spot in New Britain for our families to enjoy,” said Rep. Polinchock (R-144), who represents New Britain.
“As President of the New Britain Civic Association, I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the DCNR Grant Process,” said David Holewinski, who also serves as Mayor of New Britain Borough. “This Grant will allow the Civic Association to move forward with the Master Site Development Plan and continue to improve the family gathering destination and the recreation facilities at Covered Bridge Park which provides both to New Britain Borough and the surrounding communities.
“This grant will be a great help to the efforts of the Borough to design a long-term vision for Orchard Park and to work in harmony with the New Britain Civic Association to ensure optimal and complementary use of Covered Bridge Park and Orchard Park,” said Samantha Bryant, Manager for New Britain Borough. “Providing well designed spaces for passive and active recreation for our residents and the surrounding community is important to New Britain Borough, which this grant will help advance.”
“Sellersville Borough is pleased to be receiving this $122,500 DCNR grant, which will enable us to make needed repairs to our Lake Lenape hike and bike trail,” said David Rivet, Manager for Sellersville Borough. “This trail connects to the trail in neighboring Perkasie Borough and is heavily used by residents of both boroughs as well as visitors. The handicapped accessibility improvements included in the project will expand the park’s usage allowing for more people to enjoy its scenic beauty. Improved stormwater management measures will decrease the amount of time it takes for the water to leave the trail after a high water event. Construction will take place in 2020.
“Sellersville Borough would like to thank State Senator Steve Santarsiero and Representative Craig Staats as well as the staff at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for their support in making this grant a reality.”
The Community Parks and Recreation Grants, which are administered by the DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC), provide funding and technical assistance support for local recreation and park improvement projects. To learn more about Community Parks and Recreation Grants, visit the DCNR website.
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