Delaware County Council has announced the inaugural round of its new municipal grant program for open space and recreation.

The grant program, Delco Green Ways, will make funds available to municipalities for local open space and recreation projects throughout the county.

This source of funding was a recommendation of the Delaware County Open Space Task Force, which was convened in 2016 by County Council. The Task Force is comprised of leaders from local municipalities, nonprofits, the business community, and several county staff members. The diverse background of the members was crucial in developing recommendations that are inclusive of all Delaware County communities.

The Task Force researched opportunities to implement the county’s Open Space, Recreation, and Greenway Plan, which was established in 2015, and presented its recommendations in 2018. Pursuant to these recommendations, County Council authorized a $10 million bond allocation for open space in the county, which includes the Delco Green Ways grants to municipalities.

The objective of Delco Green Ways is to assist municipalities in achieving their local open space and recreation goals, while also furthering the objectives of Delaware County’s goals of open space and recreation.

Eligible municipal or multi-municipal projects may include fee simple acquisition of land, conservation, or trail easements on private land, capital improvements to existing public park facilities, regreening efforts, construction of trails, and professional services such as comprehensive open space planning, feasibility studies, design/engineering, and permitting.

A list of eligible project types can be found by clicking here.

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