Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today visited Clinton County to announce that $1.2 million in new grant funding will help development of an ATV connector trail.
“DCNR continues to recognize the desire of the ATV riding community to be able to travel long distances legally and without interruption and the positive effect such opportunities can have on local communities,” Dunn said. “This grant provides resources to further the connection between communities in the region and provide outdoor recreation opportunities to Pennsylvanians. We are pleased to make this announcement and look forward to seeing the impact of this grant for years to come.”
The county will use the grant for the Whiskey Springs to Bloody Skillet ATV Connector trail, which will connect Renovo to Chapman Township. Work will include construction of approximately 1.25 miles of trail from Brewery Run Road to Sproul State Forest that will be ADA accessible and include other landscaping and site improvements.
“A few years ago, Secretary Dunn encouraged us to look at using private land to develop smaller ATV connector trails that would help close a few gaps and pave the way for the proposed Whiskey Springs to Bloody Skillet ATV Connector Trail,” said Clinton County Economic Partnership and Visitors Bureau Chamber/Tourism Director Julie Brenan. “This Brewery Run connector is a big response to that idea. As we participate in outdoor and travel shows around the state and beyond, ATV riding is what we talk to people about the most. They want places to ride, and we’ve got the space in Clinton County to make that happen.”
DCNR provides grants to myriad projects across the commonwealth annually, including a $70 million investment during the 2021-22 fiscal year. Its Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants can fund:
- Planning, acquisition, and development of public parks and recreation areas
- Motorized and non-motorized trails
- River conservation and access
- Heritage areas and facilities
- Conservation of critical habitat, natural areas and open space
Eligible applicants for these grants include counties, municipalities, municipal agencies, nonprofit organizations, state heritage areas, prequalified land trusts, and for-profit enterprises. Grant funding for the program comes from a variety of state funding sources including Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund, ATV and Snowmobile Management Restricted Accounts, Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program, and federal sources including the Recreational Trails Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. DCNR selects the most appropriate funding source based on the applicant and proposed project.
Pennsylvania has more than 6,100 local parks. Under the administration of Governor Tom Wolf, DCNR has awarded more than $342 million in grants to 1,965 projects across the commonwealth.