According to DCNR's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, 72% of Pennsylvania residents are active outdoor recreationists and participate frequently in a wide variety of activities on both public and private lands.
For this reason, hundreds of Pennsylvania's communities seek safe recreational opportunities for its residents, young and old. Pennsylvania municipalities that invest in park areas and recreation programs are creating opportunities to enhance citizens’ well being, improve the local economy, conserve the natural environment and strengthen the community. Providing safe green spaces for outdoor exercise is an excellent way to offer healthier lifestyles to residents.
Despite the tremendous benefits of municipalities providing recreational opportunities, the reality is that such amenities can be costly for a given community. Keystone funding provides communities with the opportunity to provide residents with much needed access to nature and the outdoors and help to develop recreational resources that add real value to the community, including playgrounds, trails, community parks, swimming pools, recreational facilities, ball parks, etc.
In the latest round of Keystone funding, 71 recreation-related projects, including trail projects, totaling $8.8M went unfunded.
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The PA Keystone Fund has served as an important partner with residents and our municipalities - matching the state fundshas challenged local officials to work together to fund these important "legacy" projects as a region. We look forward to continued partnerships with PA DCNR and the Keystone Fund as the region works to develop the planned facilities on those new regional parks."
- Ronald J. Woodhead, Centre Region Parks and Recreation Director