The recent news that more than $1 million in grant funds released statewide by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is coming Butler County’s direction was quite the way to close out 2021.

It has us quite hopeful for 2022, as these dollars have the potential to make an impact across our county.

The largest dollar amount will go to the Allegheny Land Trust, which is to receive $313,000 for the acquisition of 53 acres in Middlesex Township for open space and passive recreation, and the protection of about 119 acres in Middlesex and Clinton townships as a conservation easement.

Though more information is to come relating to this project, we’re looking forward to soon reporting more on this project.

Additionally in Middlesex Township, another $204,500 is directed towards Middlesex Township Community Park.

The project here consists of the installation of a new playground on the site of the old baseball field dugouts at the park at 133 Browns Hill Road in Middlesex.

Though the projects are two separate items, it’s exciting to see the investment of more than $500,000 in Middlesex Township.

That’s the kind of investment with potential to make such a significant impact on a community.

In nearby Adams Township, an additional $250,000 is designated for a spray park, pedestrian walkways and marking, plus a filtration and recirculation system, utilities, fencing, ADA access, landscaping, signage and other site improvements at Adams Township Community Park.

That’s $750,000 dedicated towards a very specific part of our county.

But we’d be remiss not to mention the $47,500 coming to Cranberry Township for a comprehensive park plan.

When you chalk that up, too, that’s nearly $800,000 for that southwest corner of Butler County.

Again, we look forward to seeing the impact of these dollars, knowing that such a notable investment in a small area is likely to yield high reward.

We’re further grateful that Butler is included, too. If it weren’t, it certainly would have been a noticeable exclusion.

Butler is receiving a $100,800 grant to make upgrades to Father Marinaro Park.

Jeff Smith, director of parks, recreation and public property, said last week that the grant will allow the city to install new playground equipment, repave the basketball court and parking lot, and add a new softball field, pavilion and ADA accessible walkway at the park.

He also said the total cost for the project is estimated at about $205,000, so the DCNR grant pays for about half.

The rest of the cost will be covered by the city’s $50,000 sale last year of the Southside Park land and money from the Community Development Block Grant.

The grant makes a difference, no doubt.

This all being said, in the future, we do hope to see the communities further to the north included, too.

But for now, receiving $1 million of the $70 million total distributed across the state, that’s a win we’re happy to have end 2021 and begin 2022.

—TAL