Three Lycoming County municipalities looking to introduce or upgrade recreation offerings will receive a share of Community Conservation Partnership Program grant funding.
Williamsport's $250,000 grant allotment will be used to rehabilitate Shaw Park Place and the community pool while Jersey Shore is to receive $205,700 toward development of a Susquehanna River boat launch.
Loyalsock Township will receive $18,500 for a greenway study related to extension of the Susquehanna Bikeway.
The grants, administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, are part of the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, according to state Sen. E. Eugene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township.
"I am pleased that these investments have been made in my senatorial district," Yaw said. "This funding will assist with the completion of park and other land and water conservation projects."
Jersey Shore Borough Manager Joseph Hamm termed the money allocation "fantastic" for the borough.
The grant is in addition to other funding streams going toward the project, including grants of $100,000 and $75,000 from the Community Foundation and the National Park Service, respectively.
He noted that a number of area businesses have pledged up to $115,000 for the boat launch project, which includes a new parking lot, handicapped access, and other work.
"Everyone is coming together for a great project," he said.
The city's Shaw Park project includes reconstruction of the main and wading pools and the bathhouse and concession stand, as well as installation of filtration and recirculation systems.
The township project amounts to connecting the bike path through the Faxon interchange to municipal parks.
The grant would fund a study for the project, according to township Manager Bill Burdett.
The township is matching the grant funding with its own money.
"I can tell you with the study itself I'd like to work on it getting done over the winter," said township recreation director Shannon Lukowsky. "We hope to apply for additional funding to start construction."
Burdett noted that without the extra grant money, it's unlikely the study could be done.
Another $79,000 of grant funding will go toward development of Sunfish Pond County Park in Leroy Township, Bradford County, Yaw noted.
The project includes construction of a boat dock, boardwalk/observation deck, pedestrian walkways, pavilion, parking area, as well as installation of playground equipment.
