HARRISBURG: Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Michael DiBerardinis today announced more than $1.16 million in grants for 25 projects involving the planning, acquisition, construction and maintenance of recreational trails in 19 Pennsylvania counties.

"With DCNR as a leading advocate, Pennsylvania has positioned itself as a greenways and trails leader," Secretary DiBerardinis said. "These grants continue our commitment to making outdoor recreational opportunities available in every community and region of the state."

The Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program is a federally funded program administered by DCNR in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Advisory Board.

Funding supports both motorized and non-motorized recreation, including biking, hiking, jogging, horseback riding, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding, cross-country skiing, four-wheel driving, off-road motorcycling, aquatic activities, and increased opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Pennsylvania Recreational Trails grants receive funding from the Federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The grants provide funding to maintain, improve and restore existing trails; develop trailhead facilities; construct new trails; purchase and lease equipment needed to maintain trails; and provide educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection related to trails.

The grant program provides up to 80 percent of the project's cost, with the applicant providing the remaining 20 percent. The grants are part of DCNR's Community Conservation Partnership Program -- a grant and technical-assistance initiative that helps communities and nonprofit organizations conserve natural and cultural resources, provide outdoor recreation, enhance tourism, and foster community and economic development.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Recreational Trail grants, call (717) 787-4138 or log on to the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us http://www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword, "DCNR grants."

Statewide
Keystone Trails Association, $13,800 to purchase a trailer, accessories, and trail maintenance equipment;

Pennsylvania Equine Foundation,
$20,000 to develop a statewide education/training program for equestrians, PA Game Commission, and National Forest land managers;

Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Assn.,
$20,000 to continue a snowmobile safety
radio campaign;

Allegheny County
Student Conservation Association, Inc., $26,000 to renovate and further develop the North County Trail;

Upper St. Clair Township, $75,000 to construct Boyce Mayview Perimeter Trail;

Allegheny and Westmoreland counties
Regional Trail Corporation, $45,000 to repair and maintain various sections of the Yough River Trail;

Beaver County
Raccoon Creek State Park, $25,000 to further develop Valley Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail;

Cambria County
Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority, $39,000 to renovaten and further develop James Mayer Riverwalk Trail;

Centre and Clearfield counties
Headwaters Charitable Trust, $100,000 to renovate and further develop the Snow Shoe Trail;

Clinton and Lycoming counties
Hyner Mountain Snowmobile Club, Inc., $6,600 to renovate and further develop Hyner Trail;

Cumberland County
DCNR-Bureau of Forestry, Michaux State Forest, $23,000 to purchase off-road dumper to maintain state forest trails in Michaux and Buchanan state forests;

Dauphin County
Capital Area Greenbelt Association, $2,800 to purchase maintenance equipment to use on the Capital Area Greenbelt;

Erie County
Erie-Western PA Port Authority, $30,000 to purchase equipment for trail maintenance of the Bayfront Bikeway multi-use trail system;

Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier,
$76,000 to renovate and further develop the trail system within Frontier Park;

Fayette County
Yough River Trail Council, $17,000 to develop comfort facilities for the Youghiogheny River Trail;

Indiana County
Ghost Town Trail System, $108,000 to purchase tractor with implements and four-wheel drive dump truck;

Indiana and Westmoreland counties
Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, $38,000 to maintain and further develop the West Penn Trail;

Lackawanna County
Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, $48,000 to renovate and further develop Lackawanna River Heritage Trail;

Lancaster County
Warwick Township, $45,000 to renovate and further develop the Lititz/Warwick Trail;

Lehigh County
Whitehall Township, $54,000 to renovate and further develop Charles Nehf Trail;

Lycoming County
See Clinton County

Northampton County
Plainfield Township, $150,000 to further develop Plainfield Township Recreational Trail;

Somerset County
DCNR-Bureau of Forestry, Forbes State Forest, $24,200 to rehabilitate a bridge on the Cherry Trail;

Maple Summit Snowmobilers,
$33,000 to renovate and further develop Laurel Highlands Trail System;

Somerset County,
$100,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on the Allegheny Highlands Trail;

Westmoreland County
See Allegheny and Indiana counties; and

York County
York County, $45,000 to repair and maintain sections of the Heritage Rail Trail.