(HARRISBURG) – Today, Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne/Monroe/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) and Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) announced residents of two Susquehanna County communities, and those visiting the area, will soon benefit from the completion of local improvement projects. Herrick Township was awarded $75,334 in state funding for the Herrick Park improvement project as part of the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. Forest City Borough will receive $302,879 to complete the Forest City sidewalk project, through the Multimodal Transportation Fund. The funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), at its April 21st meeting in Harrisburg.
Herrick Park Improvement Project
Improvements to Herrick Park include creating a walking path around the perimeter of the park; installing a gravity rail track and play area safety surface; providing ADA-accessible picnic tables and a grill at the pavilion area; and resurfacing the existing connecting pathways and parking lot.
“Our local parks serve as a great asset to our communities as they provide an open space for residents to enjoy the outdoors and for children to take part in recreational activities,” said Fritz. “I am pleased to see that Herrick Park will now be able to make needed upgrades and continue to provide a safer, more inclusive area for locals to take advantage of.”
“Over the past year, the need for outdoor recreational opportunities for families and children has become even more apparent,” Baker said. “Herrick Park is a true asset to our community, and this investment will help foster a safe space for residents to continue to utilize for decades to come.”
Funds coming from the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program are used for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects.
Forest City Sidewalk Project
Funding approved for the Forest City Borough sidewalk project will allow for the installation of approximately 4,000 feet of sidewalk along State Route 247. The project will complete the section of sidewalk that connects Browndale to Forest City. Nearly two-thirds of the sidewalk on the Browndale side was completed last year, but funding ran out, forcing pedestrians to walk on the roadway for the remaining stretch. The project also includes the installation of ramps, crosswalks, and guide rails.
“As always, credit goes to the local officials, leaders, and residents who documented the need,” Baker said. “Removing worrying threats to public safety and increasing accessibility to local recreational opportunities lifts the quality of life. State money allows this project to move from the to-do list toward completion.”
“I am pleased to see our municipalities benefit and come together through this much needed project,” said Fritz. “Investing locally through these projects allows us to become a better, stronger community that takes pride in where they come from.”
“The awarding of the Multimodal Transportation grant to Forest City Borough for the completion of the sidewalk project linking Browndale to Forest City could not have happened without the support and involvement of Senator Baker and Representative Fritz,” said Linda Zefran, Bayer Corporation Strategic Account Manager. “They both have been extremely instrumental in supporting this grant to complete the sidewalk project which will undoubtedly benefit the businesses and residents of our community.”
The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) was established as an independent agency of the Commonwealth to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth. More information regarding programs administered by the CFA can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development website: https://dced.pa.gov/programs-funding/commonwealth-financing-authority-cfa/
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Senator Baker – Kate Flessner 717-787-7428 kflessner@pasen.gov
Representative Fritz – Abby Chiumento 717-260-6617 achiumento@pahousegop.com