Two Lehigh County projects are slated to receive a combined $891,000 in state grants for park improvements and trail development, bringing new investment to recreation facilities in Emmaus Borough and South Whitehall Township.
State Sen. Nick Miller, a Democrat representing Lehigh and Northampton counties, announced the awards through Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program in a state Senate announcement.
Emmaus Borough will receive $391,000 through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for rehabilitation work at Boroline Park. Planned improvements include parking and baseball field upgrades, a natural play area, new playground equipment, accessibility improvements and landscaping.
South Whitehall Township will receive $500,000 through the Keystone Community Program to develop the Jordan Creek Greenway. The project is expected to create approximately one mile of trail from Lapp Road to North Cedar Crest Boulevard, along with accessibility and landscaping improvements.
The grants are intended to improve public recreation opportunities and make outdoor spaces more accessible to residents. They also represent a substantial state-backed investment in two local projects.
The DCNR program supports recreational improvements, natural resource conservation and community revitalization efforts across Pennsylvania. Local governments and other eligible applicants compete for funding through the program.
Miller said the grants would expand opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors, stay active and connect with their communities.
The projects will now need to move through implementation, with residents ultimately judging the investment by the improvements delivered. For Emmaus, that means upgrades to a local park and its recreational facilities. In South Whitehall, the funding is intended to advance a trail connection that could give residents another option for walking and outdoor activity.
The grants were announced October 13, and the Pennsylvania State Senator’s office did not provide a completion timeline in its announcement.
