[VT I Harrisburg, PA January 8, 2026] Governor Josh Shapiro today announced a nearly $82 million investment in state funding to support more than 295 recreation and conservation projects across Pennsylvania, expanding access to parks, trails, rivers, and public lands while strengthening local communities statewide.
The funding, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), will support projects in 58 counties, helping communities improve parks and playgrounds, construct and rehabilitate trails, conserve open space, restore rivers and watersheds, and grow local economies through outdoor recreation. Grants are distributed through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2).
Governor Shapiro said the investment reflects his Administration’s commitment to ensuring that every Pennsylvanian has access to safe, welcoming outdoor spaces close to home. He noted that improvements to parks and trails benefit residents in both urban and rural communities while supporting conservation and long-term economic growth.
This round of grants builds on the 2025–26 state budget, which includes a $13 million increase for DCNR, reinforcing the Administration’s focus on conservation, public lands, and outdoor recreation. The budget also supports efforts to combat invasive species, expand heritage areas, and advance the addition of Pennsylvania’s 125th state park in 2026.
Funding in this round includes $31.3 million for 140 park, recreation, and conservation facility projects; $16.2 million to conserve 4,818 acres of land and expand public access; $8.2 million for 29 trail planning and development projects; $3.2 million for 16 river conservation projects; $9.5 million for community and watershed forestry initiatives; and $13.1 million to support 53 statewide and regional recreation and conservation organizations.
The projects include trail development with expanded ADA accessibility, land acquisition for open space preservation, riverfront improvements, riparian forest buffer restoration, and upgrades to local parks and recreational facilities. Together, these initiatives aim to enhance environmental stewardship while improving quality of life for residents across the Commonwealth.
According to state data, Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry now generates $19 billion annually. Since Governor Shapiro took office, the sector has grown by 10 percent, adding $2 billion to the state’s economy, creating nearly 4,000 new jobs, and supporting more than 168,000 jobs statewide. Outdoor recreation currently accounts for two percent of Pennsylvania’s GDP, delivering approximately $9 billion in wages and salaries each year.
State officials said the investment advances Pennsylvania’s long-term goal of ensuring that every resident can reach a trail or outdoor space within 10 minutes of home, while positioning the Commonwealth as one of the largest and most diverse public lands and outdoor recreation destinations in the eastern United States.
