The mission of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. As Pennsylvania’s leader and chief advocate for conservation and outdoor recreation, DCNR aims to inspire citizens to value their natural resources, engage in conservation practices, and experience the outdoors.
The grant supports the rehabilitation and development of public parks, recreation facilities, greenways, and river conservation projects. It aims to enhance public indoor and outdoor park, recreation, and conservation areas, ensuring all constructions comply with federal, state, and local laws, including accessibility standards. It includes the Park Rehabilitation and Development (PRD) Program, the Small Community (SC) Program designed for municipalities with a population of 5,000 or less to fund basic facilities like playgrounds, pavilions, and ensure ADA compliance, offering grants between $60,000 to $100,000 with specific allocations for professional services and materials without match requirements and a 1:1 match for additional funds. The Rivers Conservation Development (RCD) segment focuses on improving public access to waterways and the restoration of local watersheds.