Apr. 23, 2021
HARRISBURG– Today, Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) and Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne/Monroe/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) announced that Herrick Township will be awarded over $75,334 in state funding for the Herrick Park improvement project through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. Forest City Borough also will receive $302,879 in state funding for the Forest City sidewalk project through the Multimodal Transportation Fund. The funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) this past Wednesday.
Herrick Park Improvement Project
The improvements to the Herrick Park include creating a walking path around the perimeter of the park; installing a gravity rail track and play area safety surface; providing ADA-accessible picnic tables and grill at the pavilion picnic area; and resurfacing the existing connecting pathways and parking lot.
“Our local parks serve as a great asset to our communities as they provide an open space for residents to enjoy the outdoors and for children to take part in recreational activities,” said Fritz. “I am pleased to see that Herrick Park will now be able to make needed upgrades and continue to provide a safer, more inclusive area for locals to take advantage of.”
“Over the past year, the need for outdoor recreational opportunities for families and children has become even more realized than in previous years,” Baker said. “Herrick Park is a true asset to our community, and this investment will help foster a safe space for residents to continue to utilize for decades to come.”
Funds coming from the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program are used for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects.
Forest City Sidewalk Project
Funding approved for the Forest City Borough sidewalk project will allow for the installation of approximately 4,000 feet of sidewalk along State Route 247. The project will complete the section of sidewalk that connects Browndale to Forest City. Nearly two-thirds of the sidewalk on the Browndale side was completed last year; however, for the remaining stretch, pedestrians must currently walk on the road. The project also includes the installation of ramps, crosswalks and guide rails.
“This investment in the sidewalk project will help to better provide for pedestrian safety, while also improving access to local businesses,” Baker said. “State funding for efforts that expand opportunities and quality of life for residents have important impacts. This money will enable the project to be completed more quickly, while reducing the tax burden for local residents.”
“I am pleased to see our municipalities benefit and come together through this much-needed project,” said Fritz. “Investing locally through these projects allows us to become a better, stronger community that takes pride in where we come from.”
“The awarding of the Multimodal Transportation grant to Forest City Borough for the completion of the sidewalk project linking Browndale to Forest City could not have happened without the support and involvement of Senator Baker and Representative Fritz,” said Linda Zefran, account manager for Bayer Corporation Strategic. “They both have been extremely instrumental in supporting this grant to complete the sidewalk project which will undoubtedly benefit the businesses and residents of our community.”
The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the Commonwealth.
Representative Jonathan Fritz
111th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abby Chiumento
717.260.6617
achiumento@pahousegop.com
RepFritzPA.com / Facebook.com/RepFritz