Matzie: More than $104,000 in state grants to fund new equipment for Beaver County parks

Rep. Robert Matzie    September 17, 2019 | 1:58 PM

AMBRIDGE, Sept. 17 – State grants totaling $104,658 will fund new playground and recreational equipment for families visiting Beaver County parks, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today.

Matzie said the grants – awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and funded through the state’s Greenways, Trail and Recreation Program – will help finance the replacement of outdated equipment and installation of safety surfaces at parks in Harmony Township and Baden Borough.

“Meaningful places for kids and families to play and interact are incredibly important,” Matzie said. “Beyond providing opportunities for fresh air and exercise, our parks are special places where kids make friendships and adults build bonds. They’re places that bring us together as a community to discover common ground and create memories. Investments that preserve and restore these special places yield returns for years to come.”

Matzie said the funding is provided in two separate grants, with the details as follows:

  • $62,158 to Harmony Township to purchase new play and fitness equipment – including climbers, spinner and rocker equipment, fitness equipment for adults and a picnic shelter – at three parks. The total project cost is $73,315. The township plans to use municipal labor to install the new equipment to limit the amount of the grant request.
     
  • $42,500 to Baden Borough for playground renovations at two parks, including the purchase of a new play structure with safety surfacing and installation of beveled safety swing mats under an existing swing set at the Virginia Heights playground and the replacement of existing gravel with safety surfacing under an existing play structure at the Schiller Street Park. The project – which has a total cost of $50,000 – will allow the borough to meet U.S. playground safety guidelines.

More information about the CFA is available at the agency’s website.