Peco gives $150K for parks, conservation

Peco Energy Co. has given a total of $150,000 to 18 local communities for projects focusing on open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and conservation.

The money is being awarded through Green Region, Peco's municipal open space grant program, and in partnership with land conservation group Natural Lands Trust.

In addition, Peco in September will give $30,000 to two local municipalities that have best involved the local community in green projects.

Since 2004, Peco has given almost $650,000 for projects.

BUCKS COUNTY

Newtown, $10,000 to acquire the seven-acre Rockbridge Property, a riparian buffer along the Newtown Creek that also features trail and pedestrian access. Newtown Township and Newtown Borough are working jointly on a trail and greenway system.

Plumstead, $10,000 to restore two impaired tributaries to the Pine Run Watershed. Both unnamed tributaries are on public property. Signs and kiosks will be put into place, explaining what people can do to preserve a health riparian system.

Yardley, $4,560 to develop a community garden on what's known as the Francis property, which was acquired as open space because of repeated flooding. The funds will be used to purchase such things as raised beds, imported soil, and fencing.

Warrington, $10,000 for creating trail connectors for the Bradford Reservoir Trail, linking the trail to nearby residential neighborhoods. The trail will help provide recreational activities, an environmentally friendly way to commute, and a safe way to travel from one area of the township to another.

CHESTER COUNTY

East Fallowfield, $10,000 to design and build a boardwalk, about 125 feet long and 8 feet wide, across two wet areas of a trail system, for walking, hiking, bird watching, and other activities.

Franklin, $10,000 to plan and build the Middle Branch White Clay Creek Trail. The proposed 1.6-mile trail along the creek is geared toward hiking, biking, and equestrian use, and also could be used for such activities as bird watching and fishing.

Thornbury, $10,000 to develop Waln Run Park on 12 acres of unused township land, with the goal of both providing recreational space and preserving open land.

DELAWARE COUNTY

Parkside, $5,000 to revitalize the Woodlot, the borough's only remaining wooded open space. Rehabbing this spot will allow healthy growth of the woods, and accept water runoff from nearby homes.

Rutledge, $10,000 to build a rain garden at Triangle Park, to accommodate runoff water in the park. The project will include signs telling homeowners how they can reuse their own stormwater.

Upper Darby, $10,000 to study installation of a walking trail at the abandoned Stonehurst Hills railroad spur as part of an open-space plan.

Yeadon, $5,000 to conduct inventory and provide maintenance at Yeadon Community Park, and come up with a park plan.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Collegeville, $7,500 to build the Freeland Avenue Perkiomen Trail connection, to connect a large Collegeville residential subdivision with the trail.

Hatfield, $7,500 to improve the Chestnut Street Trail Park with additional plants, benches and a footpath access from the new Chestnut Street trail, which runs nearby.

Lower Merion, $5,000 to create a one-acre Linwood Park from a former parking lot in the densest part of the township, with the lowest per capita ratio of open space. The money will be used to buy trees, which will be planted by community volunteers. The goal is to build community as well as public space.

North Wales, $7,500 toward development of Hess Park, combining a natural setting with facilities for walking, hiking and picnicking, including fitness stations.

Trappe, $7,500 for improvements at Rambo Park. The borough will sponsor a design competition for students of landscape architecture and horticulture at area colleges, universities and vocational schools. The top three designs will be presented at a public meeting of the Borough Council; the mayor, a Peco representative, and a representative from the Natural Lands Trust will choose the winner. Elementary students will be invited to submit designs for a butterfly garden. The winners will get a modest monetary scholarship; the borough will install the improvements.

Whitpain, $10,000 to develop a master trail plan to connect the community through a network of trails passing through open space, parks and conservation districts. The system will connect with the Montgomery County Trail systems. Among the goals: reducing auto dependency, fuel consumption, and air pollution.

PHILADELPHIA

Fairmount Park Conservancy, $10,000 toward the master plan for Hunting Park. The idea is that the park will serve as its own benefit, and also serve as a catalyst for larger neighborhood renewal.