Bradford, Webster announce $326K grant to help develop Zacharias Creek Trail

HARRISBURG, Oct. 15 – State Reps. Matt Bradford and Joe Webster, both D-Montgomery, announced a grant of $326,200 for Worcester Township to be used toward development of Zacharias Creek Trail.

This investment is part of a statewide announcement of roughly $7.6 million in funding from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Recreation and Conservation grant program.

The funding for this particular project will include construction of approximately 1.15 miles of trail from the current Zacharias Creek Trail terminus near Anders Road to Evansburg State Park and a bridge, plus ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

“Trails and other outdoor activities make it easier for people to stay healthy and active during these times we are living in. We are fortunate to have many beautiful recreational areas throughout Montgomery County, and I’m pleased that this funding will help expand Zacharias Creek Trail and give us additional ways to enjoy the outdoors, especially during the pandemic,” Bradford said.

Said Webster: "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania saw unprecedented park and trail usage this past spring and summer because of COVID-19. The $326,000 in funding from DCNR for this project will allow us to connect two popular trail networks increasing multimodal access to different green spaces across our county."

In Pennsylvania, outdoor recreation generates $29.1 billion in consumer spending, $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue, $8.6 billion in wages and salaries, and sustains 251,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.