Dauphin News

Senator Camera Bartolotta has announced that nearly $392,000 in state grants have been awarded to improve parks within the 46th District. These funds, provided through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), come from natural gas drilling impact fees rather than taxpayer dollars.

Bartolotta emphasized the importance of these grants: “While parks offer the opportunity to connect as a family and engage in healthy habits, paying for new equipment and improvements can fall lower on the priority list when communities also need to pay for the upkeep of our roads and other important infrastructure. That’s why the impact fees are so helpful; we can fund projects that would likely be delayed otherwise.”

Rices Landing Borough in Greene County is set to receive $250,000 for enhancements at Pumpkin Run Park. The planned upgrades include new playground equipment with modern amenities that comply with ADA standards.

Independence Township in Washington County will benefit from a $125,000 grant aimed at constructing a natural surface trail at Independence Township Community Park. This trail will span 41 acres, starting from an existing parking area and looping around the park's western perimeter before returning near a gazebo.

Union Township in Washington County has been allocated $16,970 for improvements at Elrama Central Park. Planned developments include ADA-compliant sidewalks and handrails, playground equipment, swing sets, benches, and other amenities designed to enhance accessibility and mobility.

The impact fees funding these projects were authorized by Act 13 of 2012 and are paid by unconventional gas operators across Pennsylvania. The CFA operates as an independent agency under the Department of Community and Economic Development, overseeing various economic development and community improvement initiatives within the state.

For further information, contact Katrina Hanna at 717-787-1463.