Springfield Gets $500K For Open Space Connection Project

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — Springfield Township has been awarded $500,000 as part of the Delco Greenways Grant program, according to the county.

The county announced $7.4 million has been awarded to 43 projects around the county as part of the program.

In Springfield, the funds are being put toward the Pennsdale and Greenbriar Parks Open Space Connection project.

The Delco Green Ways Grant Program is driving the future of green space, trails, and recreation for Delco residents while elevating the County’s system as a unified whole.

The county received 74 grant applications totaling $13.5 million, which included representation by 46 of the 49 municipalities in Delaware County.

The 2021 grant round was incredibly competitive with all grant-worthy projects. The review team
thoroughly reviewed and deliberated over applications using the criteria developed by the Green Space Task Force and as described in the User’s Guide

On Oct. 5 and Nov. 3, Council received funding recommendations for projects at the $6.7 million, $8 million and $10 million levels of funding. They voted to invest $7.4 million to support impactful Green Ways projects throughout Delaware County.

That's an allocation of more than $1.9 million more than the original reserved $5.5 million for Grant Round 2.

Forty-three projects will be awarded funding, which includes one non-profit and 38 municipalities, totaling $7,372,521 invested throughout Delaware County.

The breakdown is:

• All 16 Mini-PROS Plan applications are to be awarded, for a total of $722,850
• Nine planning & design applications are to be awarded, for a total of $848,315
• Six conserve applications are to be awarded, for a total of $2,386,477
• Six connect projects are to be funded, for a total of $1,990,809
• Six enhance projects are to be funded, for a total of $1,424,070

"This is a transformative leap forward for Delaware County’s people and places and the planet," Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer said. "Together we are strengthening and unifying Delco through Conserve, Enhance, Connect, and thoughtful Planning & Design. We all benefit from a greener, more connected, modernized, and well-planned County-wide system. This program is a substantial investment in the economic recovery of our county. We applaud all who applied for Green Ways Round 2, and we encourage reapplication in the next grant round. Thank you for sharing your passion projects with us and for participating in Delaware County’s epic grant program."