FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2010

CONTACT: ADAM CIRUCCI     
PHONE: 610-692-2112     
acirucci@pasenate.com 

WEST CHESTER (January 20) - Senator Andy Dinniman recently helped secure $906,035 in total state funding for the expansion of the Schuylkill River Trail through the northern portion of Chester County and for the preservation of 44 acres of woodlands in Willistown.

“It is important that we continue to invest in preserving our open spaces and natural places and in making them more accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” Dinniman said. “These improvements will not only benefit local residents but also increase recreational opportunities for families throughout the region.”

The grants are as follows:

• $406,035 to Chester County for the further development of the Schuylkill River Trail, including the construction of approximately 3.5 miles from the border of Phoenixville Borough and East Pikeland Township north to Linfield Road in East Coventry Township. This grant will pay for making the trail handicap accessible , for erosion and sediment controls, landscaping and the installation of gates, signage, informational kiosks and other site improvements; and
• $500,000 to the Willistown Conservation Trust for the acquisition of approximately 44 acres that will become part of the 80-acre Rushton Woods Preserve along Delchester and Goshen Roads in Willistown Township. The Preserve will be used for habitat protection and will allow public access to more than 2 miles of trails.

“We are extremely grateful to Senator Dinniman for his support of this acquisition of critical habitat that will benefit wildlife and people forever,” said Bonnie Van Alen, Executive Director of the Willistown Conservation Trust.

The funds come through the Community Conservation Partnership Grant Program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Funding is made possible through several programs including Growing Greener II.

“This funding is a major step forward in completing the Schuylkill River Trail, which will now extend across the entire northern portion of the 19th Senatorial District,” Dinniman said. “It is also key to the preservation of Willistown’s Rushton Woods, one of the largest contiguous woodland tracts in our area.”

For more information, call Senator Dinniman’s office at 610-692-2112 or e-mail acirucci@pasenate.com.

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