Moraine State Park stands to benefit from $135 million in upgrades to state parks and forests as part of the $450 million Growing Greener initiative introduced by Gov. Tom Wolf.

The initiative, which has support of both House and Senate, also would help local recreation, state Department of Environmental Protection programs, agricultural preservation and more.

During a visit to Moraine on Tuesday, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn called attention to the park’s infrastructure need and highlighted how pandemic recovery funds could be used to address outdated facilities and public safety preparedness across the state.

Dunn said Moraine State Park alone needs more than $20 million to complete the upgrades necessary to keep all facets of the 17,000-acre park operating, as most systems, buildings and facilities are more than 50 years old.

The upgrades include replacing and repairing sewage lines and pumping stations, roadway repaving, constructing new comfort stations, replacing the bike rental concession building and public restrooms, and rehabilitating the docks and bulkheads at Davis Hollow Marina.

A key project is the replacement of a lift station at one of Moraine’s two sewer treatment plants. Dunn said if park manager Dustin Drew can’t get that fixed, he will be forced to close down a campground.

DCNR has a documented need of more than $1.4 billion for infrastructure repairs and improvements statewide. Issues such as addressing wear and tear, extreme weather and climate change impacts, and a high demand for outdoor recreation require investments, which also allow incorporation of sustainable design and energy efficiency.

Dunn noted Wolf’s $1.7 billion plan to help Pennsylvania recover from the COVID-19 pandemic includes designating $450 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars for conservation, recreation and preservation.

DCNR manages 121 state parks, 2.2 million acres of state forest lands, and is tasked with conserving and sustaining Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment.

Statewide, outdoor recreation is a multibillion-dollar industry that directly supports 150,000 jobs. For every dollar invested in state parks, $12.41 returns to the commonwealth.

More than 40 million people enjoy Pennsylvania’s state parks each year and flocked to parks during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Drew said 1.2 million people visit Moraine State Park each year.

Jack Cohen, president of the county Tourism & Convention Bureau, said “the economic impact of Moraine State Park for our region is phenomenal” and hanging “out of order” signs on restrooms or closing campgrounds is unfathomable.

“We need this park fixed right,” Cohen said. Dunn agreed, calling Moraine “a real gem in (the DCNR) system and a real moneymaker for the region.”

We agree and concur that using ARPA funds to preserve Butler County’s recreational gem is a wise way to spend that money.

— JGG