Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday joined other DCNR representatives and officials from Reilly Township in Schuylkill County in dedicating the recently renovated Branchdale Playground.

DCNR has been working with Reilly Township since 2010 to expand what had been only a baseball field and aging playground equipment on the site near 25 Spruce St., Branchdale.

“Projects like these, and the support they receive, reinforce the value of what DCNR does when working with local officials,” said Dunn, addressing attendees at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Regardless of size, municipalities look to DCNR for the expertise and funding to make projects like this happen.”

With funding from DCNR through its Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund - Small Communities Program funding, the township has added a basketball court, upgraded playground equipment and built a park pavilion. The site also has improved parking and ADA access.

“Without the DCNR grants, the renovations and additions never would have happened,” said Robert Butensky, chair of the Reilly Township Board of Supervisors. “The improvements to our community benefit the overall well-being of our residents and our children.”

Butensky applauded project support received from Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill), Rep. Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill) and the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners.

Donations from several area businesses and the Branchdale Fire Co. also were acknowledged.

“Municipal projects like this always seem to emerge as a keystone of a township or borough feeling very good about itself, and what it is able to provide its residents -- community pride!” Dunn said.

DCNR provided four grants to the township totaling about $137,000 from its Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund - Small Communities Program.

Applying For Grants

For information on how to apply for similar grants, attend one of DCNR’s upcoming Grant Workshops starting November 1.  Click Here for all the details.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

[Posted: Oct. 27, 2017]

10/30/2017