By Brian C. Rittmeyer

Published: Sunday, November 25, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Friday, December 21, 2012

More than half a million dollars in state grant money is destined for recreation projects in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

The money is included in $26.5 million going to 198 projects across the state. The grants, announced this week, are going to a variety of proposals including 49 trail projects, protecting more than 3,200 acres of open space, and 79 projects to develop or rehabilitate recreation, park and conservation areas and facilities.

Six grants totaling about $537,000 were announced locally.

More than half, about $295,000, will go toward development of the Armstrong Trail.

Local grant recipients are:

• Cheswick: $40,000 to rehabilitate McLean Park. Improvements include construction of a basketball court and installation of play equipment with safety surfacing.

• Allegheny Valley Land Trust: $205,400 for rehabilitation of the Armstrong Trail. Includes about 1.1 miles of trail from the intersection of McCain and McKean streets to the intersection of Water and Hill streets in Manorville.

• Ford City: $34,200 for further development of the Armstrong Trail. Includes construction of about 2,000 feet of trail to connect 14th Street and McCain Street.

• Kittanning: $55,600 for further development of two sections of the Armstrong Trail. Work in one section includes construction of about 700 feet of trail from Indiana Avenue to Walnut Street; work in another will include construction of about 500 feet of trail from Chestnut Street to Hazel Street.

• Allegheny Township: $160,000 for payment toward acquiring about 1.5 miles of trail from the Freeport Bridge to the Kiski Junction Railroad.

• Murrysville: $42,000 for the rehabilitation and development of Townsend Park. Includes rehabilitation of existing fishing dock, construction of a new dock and retaining walls, and pedestrian walkways.

Except for Allegheny Township, all of the projects include access for the disabled, landscaping and a project sign.

The grants fall under the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

Funding comes from the Keystone Fund, generated with a portion of the realty transfer tax; the Environmental Stewardship Fund; the ATV/Snowmobile Fund generated through license fees, and federal money.

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-226-4701 or brittmeyer@tribweb.com.

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