2003’s Top Scoring Applications

Land Acquisition Grants
The Okehocking Preserve Phase II
Willistown Township, in partnership with the Willistown Conservation Trust was awarded $350,000 to acquire an additional 23+ acres of land for the Okehocking Preserve. The total cost projected for the project is $1,693,400, with a confirmed match of $1,022,200.

The parcel is critical to the Preserve for its natural features and habitats, rare plant species, the additional recreational opportunities it offers to the Preserve.

The parcel to be acquired will assist Chester County and the Commonwealth in meeting their needs for conservation and recreation. The benefits of this acquisition fulfill a majority of the needs spelled out in Recreation Facility Needs for Region 1.

In addition to those mentioned above the township holds 15 partners in acquiring the land. The application makes reference to 17 individual plans that help form a base and backing for the project. The project also fulfills 80% of the DCNR priorities list.

Planning Grants
Comprehensive Park, Recreation, and Open Space Plan
Springfield Township was awarded $25,000 to evaluate their current recreation conditions and come up with a Comprehensive Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan for the community. The total cost for this project is estimated at $50,000, with a confirmed match of $25,000. The Plan will provide an analysis of existing recreation conditions; using this information, as well as data provided by existing planning documents, such as the 1998 Comprehensive Plan and the a long-range recreation goal for the Township will be established. The Township makes reference to three additional documents that resemble the intended outcome of this project.

The basic and overall need in this project is organization, the need to have one concise plan to identify the recreation, park, and open space goals for the Township. The benefits of such a plan come in the form of facilitating the development of a park and recreation system that is accessible to everyone, with clear and concise goals. In planning this document the applicant fulfilled 50% of DCNR’s priority list.

Springfield Township is engaged in partnerships through inter-municipal cooperation with six entities in Montgomery County, as well as with other entities of the public and private sectors of the county.

Parks Rehabilitation and Development Grants
Tidal Schuylkill River Master Plan Greenway & Trail
The City of Philadelphia, Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Army Corp of Engineers and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, was awarded $500,000 to implement a plan for development of a greenway and trail along the Tidal Schuylkill River. The development of this greenway and trail will dramatically improve the area and also meet needs for safe and attractive recreational amenities. Sections of the proposed site are key components of the proposed US East Coast Greenway. The total projected cost of the project is $4,700,000 with a confirmed match of $2,900,000.

The applicant scored a 70% in the DCNR Priorities section of the application. The project addresses four key recreation and conservation based needs that are called for by national, state, regional, and city agencies. Future, long-term benefits that will affect the surrounding community, the region, state, and nation are addressed.

In addition to those mentioned above, the city is partnered with seven other agencies and a 45-member public Task Force that includes the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the University of Pennsylvania, Center City District. The application for the project made reference to five other plans currently in effect that in some way aid or parallel the Tidal Schuylkill River Master Plan Greenway and Trail.

ATV & Snowmobile Registration in the Southeast Region

Bucks and Montgomery Counties have the highest number of registered Snowmobiles and ATV’s in the entire five county region. Bucks County ranks third in the state for number of registered ATV’s, Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties took first and second respectively. Bucks County is ranked 5th in the state for registered snowmobiles. *Statistics as of May 19, 2004

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-ATV Homepage:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/atv/index.aspx

Regional Open Space Priorities Report

-Produced by the GreenSpace Alliance of Southeastern Pennsylvania
-Pennsylvania Environmental Council

Executive Summary

Findings
The region has tremendous assets in its open space lands and stream/river corridors.

However, open space is disappearing quickly. Further, it is not simply the rate of loss that threatens our region; the problem is the fragmented way in which we have chosen to consume those valuable assets.

Priorities can be set for protection based on two kinds of lands: “Open Space Priority Lands,” where regional protection should be focused, and “Suburban/Urban Priority Lands,” where local community needs should predominate. A balance should be maintained between protection of critical open space, managed growth in undeveloped areas, and community revitalization.

Recommendations
1. Adopt a two-pronged approach to open space conservation in the region: Open Space Priority Lands and Suburban/Urban Priority Lands.
2. As a guideline, see that at least one acre of undeveloped land is protected for every acre the is developed
3. Set a goal to permanently protect no less than 50% of remaining undeveloped Open Space Priority Lands. Dedicate an extraordinary allocation of resources to this purpose.
4. Recognize that the stream and river corridors that part of the Open Space Priority Lands and funding resources to the permanent protection of these corridors.
5. In the Suburban/Urban Priority Lands, concentrate on the protecting high-resource-value lands for recreational purposes and for limited natural resource and specialty agricultural uses.
6. Enact comprehensive plans and land use ordinances and promote multi-municipal cooperation to protect open space.
7. Commit to “Regional Statesmanship”: In local communities across the region, support protection of the Open Space Priority Lands, even if those lands are not located in the immediate vicinity.
8. Use the Report as a strategic guide in open space protection decisions.
9. Continue to develop the database underlying the Report as an analytical tool for planners, funders, elected and appointed officials, corporations, organizations, and individuals.
10. Encourage widespread circulation, review and endorsement of the Report.

To see more of the Regional Open Space Priorities Report go to: http://www.greenspacefun.org/conservation/ROSPRFinal.March2004.pdf

For Information on the GreenSpace Alliance or the Pennsylvania Environmental Council go to:
http://www.greenspacefun.org
or
http://www.pecpa.org

2004-2008 PA SCORP
The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is available online:
http://intrabrc/PaRecreationPlan2004-2008.pdf