South Central PA News

Senator Doug Mastriano announced that Cumberland Township in Adams County has received a $40,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The funds will be used to develop a comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan for the township.

The plan aims to outline recreational goals and identify the necessary resources and methods needed to achieve them. It will assess residents' interests in recreation, future needs, and provide comparisons with similar communities. Recommendations will be made to guide municipal decisions on recreation over the next decade.

Mastriano emphasized the importance of this funding given the township's lack of municipal recreational facilities. "Residential and commercial development is expected to keep growing, so this funding will be beneficial in ensuring future funding for outdoor recreation is spent wisely," he stated. He highlighted that maximizing the township's desirability as a place to live, play, and work is crucial.

According to estimates from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), only 35% of Cumberland Township's population has access to a park or open space within a ten-minute walk. This figure is below Pennsylvania's statewide average of 54%. The DCNR also noted a significant area of high need in the northern part of the township where residential growth is concentrated.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority operates under Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, overseeing various economic development initiatives across the state.