Rice’s Landing Borough is a community of 450 residents situated along the Monongahela River in northeastern Greene County. The Borough cultivated support for the construction of boat docks from a diverse contingent of citizens, elected officials, nonprofit groups, and local businesses.
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This project evolved into truly a community effort. Approximately 20 residents volunteered their time to construct the playground area, and township employees also contributed extensive labor. Bankson Engineers donated their professional services to design the space. Furthermore, the community raised approximately $5,000 in cash donations. With all of these in-kind, volunteer, professional services, and cash donations in place, the township was awarded a Keystone grant of $47,000 in 2002 and an additional $5,000 was amended to the contract in 2003. By 2004, the playground was completed.
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The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is a 150-mile trail between Pittsburgh PA and Cumberland MD, where it joins the 184-mile C & O Canal Towpath, extending the off-road experience all the way to Washington, DC. The trail provides a safe, clean and motor traffic free expedition through spectacular water gaps and historic tunnels and over breathtaking viaducts, taking full advantage of the railroad engineering expertise to find the easiest grade. It is bringing hope, pride and opportunity to economically depressed towns. New businesses are springing up in these “Trail Towns” catering to visitors and the local residents.
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The Ghost Town Trail is designated as a National Trail by the U. S. Department of the Interior and offers many interpretive opportunities. Trail users can learn about the importance of riparian areas and see the impacts of acid mine drainage, and explore historical sites like the Eliza Iron Furnace, which supplied crude iron to southwestern Pennsylvania communities in the mid-1800s.
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Allegheny Commons Park is a short walk from major churches, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, the National Aviary, a public school, and several daycare centers. Thousands of children take advantage of the space on a regular basis. However, the park’s aging playground had become unsafe over the years. The City of Pittsburgh led a community engagement process to provide the public with the opportunity to help design a new playground, including input from neighborhood children. Thousands of children ages 2-12 now enjoy a safe, up-to code place to play, including safe, age appropriate equipment for 2-5 year olds.
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Over 400,000 people, including commuters, annually use the Schuylkill River Trail, a 22-mile regional trail that links Valley Forge National Historical Park in Montgomery County to Center City Philadelphia. A 2.5-mile section of trail was widened to accommodate the wide variety of trail users and correct drainage problems that were causing standing water along the entire eastern edge of the trail that required constant maintenance.
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West Penn Park in York City received a make-over and new equipment as part of a multi-phase plan to improve the park and offer new activities for the City residents. Originally designed by William Penn, the park has hosted Revolutionary War camps and a Civil War hospital, and was also used as a drop-off point for freed slaves after the Civil War ended.
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Residents of all ages need places in the community to enjoy, and young children are no exception. Alexandria, a small borough in Huntingdon County, needed to replace its antiquated and unsafe playground equipment in the community’s only park. With Keystone funding, the borough was able to provide young residents with a safe place to play that was within walking distance of their homes.
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The Special Kids Zone in Butler County provides a playground for children with special needs, a group that has been underserved for years. The playground was planned by a committee of professionals who work with children with special needs daily. Families and organizations now come from throughout the county and region to use this facility.
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The recreational trail is one of the major developments identified in the multi-municipal comprehensive plan that was adopted in 2002 by Foxburg, St. Petersburg, and Richland Townships. The project will not only provide recreation opportunities for local citizens, but also for travelers to the region. Because the trail follows the former railroad right-of-ways, it offers a flat, scenic walking or biking experience for users of all ages.
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What was once an abandoned rail bed and illegal dumping site for half a century is now the Greater Hazleton Rail Trail, a hub of activity for families, dedicated bikers and hikers, school groups, nature enthusiasts, and anyone intent on maintaining a healthy living. Four miles of the trail are complete and another 12.4 miles are planned. When completed, the trail will the 165-mile D&L Trail, which offers visitors an opportunity to experience the region’s heritage.
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Williamsport’s Five Park Master Plan is an excellent example of a master site plan that meets a variety of criteria. During the planning process, outreach efforts included neighborhood input and participation of a variety of key partners in each neighborhood. This project illustrates the importance of working with neighborhoods to meet the needs and address the concerns of the people who live near a facility.
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The Scottdale Public Library has become a community hub and has filled a real need for the residents of the borough and surrounding communities. A common comment heard is “the library is a warm and welcoming place and represents the efforts of so many individuals and groups, a true example of money well spent!”
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Built in 1895, the Allegheny Observatory is one of the major astronomical research institutions of the world. The observatory’s exterior was in need of repair; pieces of the terra cotta surface were breaking off, there was cracking and erosion of mortar joints, and water infiltrated through the deteriorated parapet, damaging the terra cotta pieces. The Observatory restoration is part of the ongoing renewal of the Pittsburgh’s Riverview Park.
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The Roxbury Bandshell is one of just a handful of remaining bandshells built throughout the Country by the Works Progress Administration. The use of Keystone funds to restore the roof of this building that had been proposed for demolition sparked a renewed interest in the bandshell. It now hosts a variety of events, including local theatre productions and weekly summer concerts.
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Since 1789, Philosophical Hall has been the American Philosophical Society’s home, hosting meetings of members including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John J. Audubon, Charles Darwin, Thomas Edison, Louis Pasteur, Albert Einstein, and Robert Frost. Over the years the APS has gathered a museum collection that traces American history and science from the founding fathers to the computer age, including a draft copy of the Declaration of Independence hand-written by Thomas Jefferson and the original journals of Lewis and Clark. Keystone funding repaired the Philosophical Hall’s roof, ensuring the long-term preservation of the museum’s important collections and maintaining the building’s form and integrity as part of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
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The Pearl S. Buck House is a rare National Historic Listing which tells the story of a woman’s past and ongoing contribution to society. The home of Pearl S Buck was at risk of closing its doors because of safety issues, structural deficits, limited access, significant water infiltration, and general disrepair after 3 decades of public use. Thanks to the Keystone Fund, which enabled the leverage of private and public funding, the historic dwelling was restored.
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The Yuengling Mansion, once the Yuengling family home, now serves over 20,000 people a year. It hosts jazz festivals, outdoor concerts, gallery shows, civil war re-enactments, renaissance fairs, Celebrate Schuylkill Festivals and theater performances. Keystone funds were used to strengthen underlying structural support and finishes of the building’s character-defining front entrance and porch area.
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Because of Keystone funds, the 1902 Pomeroy Academia Covered Bridge, the longest remaining covered bridge in Pennsylvania, continues to be a cherished landmark. The timber frame structure, stone piers, abutments and wingwalls of the bridge were rehabilitated utilizing Keystone funding along with the addition of a small park. The bridge is now open to all pedestrians.
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The Erie Playhouse, the third-oldest community theater in the nation and one of the busiest community theaters in Pennsylvania, has existed for nearly 100 seasons. With Keystone grants through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the playhouse restored the marquee, façade, and outer lobby.
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