Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Grant Program

Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, supports projects aimed at enhancing public parks, recreation areas, and greenways. Eligible projects include the development and rehabilitation of trails, conservation areas, and river enhancements. This program, backed by the Marcellus Legacy Fund, encourages both active and passive recreational opportunities while promoting environmental stewardship and community engagement.

NOTE: The Commonwealth Financing Authority charges a $100 non-refundable application fee for Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program applications.
Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program
Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority (the “Authority”) for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects using the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP).
Uses
Projects which involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation.
Eligible Projects
Public Park and Recreation Areas: These projects involve the rehabilitation and development of public indoor and/or outdoor park, recreation and conservation areas and facilities. Parks and recreation areas are areas of land and/or water, for use as a neighborhood, community or regional public park and recreation site. Property may be acquired for active and/or passive recreation use to create new park and recreation areas and/or expand existing recreational sites.
Greenways and Trails: These projects involve the renovation and development of linear public facilities, such as bicycle, walking, equestrian, snowmobile, and nature trails; passive recreation areas; riparian forest buffers; wetland boardwalks; observation decks. Related support facilities including: access roads, parking areas, walks, comfort station, lighting, landscaping, and signage are also eligible. Greenways are areas of land and/or water which provides a linear recreation, conservation, or open space corridor along a natural or man-made feature.
Trails are designated land and/or water corridor with public access that provides recreation and/or alternative transportation opportunities to motorized and/or non-motorized user of all ages.
Rivers Conservation: These projects enhance rivers, streams, and watersheds for recreational purposes.