Pine seeks recreation grants from state

As part of their mission to enhance Pine Community Park, township supervisors approved two resolutions to apply for grants to fund recreation projects.

The board voted May 6 to apply for a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for the Pine Athletic Complex concession stand and bathroom project.

DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation assists local governments with funding for projects related to parks, recreation or conservation. Applications for the department’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program grants are accepted once a year.

Assistant township manager Stacey Graf said she expects to hear back about the grant in August or September, and the project is scheduled to take place in 2025. Ground has been broken for the Pine Athletic Complex grandstands.

The township is seeking another grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to fund pedestrian trail in Pine Community Park. The DCED’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program provides grants for parks and recreation areas, greenways and trails, and river/stream projects that enhance recreation. The deadline to apply is May 31.

The township had been previously awarded a $250,000 grant from the DCED for a wetland trail project in February.

“It would be a 2025 project to light Pine Park Drive from the entrance to the community center through the valley to the other parking lot,” Graf said, noting 38 light poles would be installed along that stretch.

Board chairperson Audrey Mackie said that the need for lighting on Pine Park Drive arose after seeing residents attempting to navigate the park after dark following the Ram Fam event in the fall.

“We had a lot of families that did the parade and walked over because we started on the side of the administration building,” she said. “When everybody had to walk back, it was very dark in the valley. If we want to continue having nice events like that, we have to think about safety.”