COOKSBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced $214,000 in grants to support the Clarion River Recreation Assessment — a partnership project in Elk, Forest, Jefferson and Clarion counties. The group responds to recreational opportunities and challenges facing the Clarion River and other natural resources gracing the southwestern corner of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
“A combination of factors — scenery, the feeling of remoteness and an abundance of recreational opportunities in a natural setting — makes this corridor a unique resource for local residents and visitors alike,” Rendell said. “We are happy to support the counties and municipalities along the river corridor with resources to collectively manage visitor use so it pays economic dividends for this part of the state without affecting quality of life for local communities.”
Besides the four counties and their municipalities, the partnership includes the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Allegheny National Forest.
Funding for the five grants through the DCNR Community Partnerships Program comes from Growing Greener II, a voter-approved, $625 million bond issue, and the Keystone Fund, a DCNR fund generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax.
“These grants support many of the recommendations of the Clarion River Recreation Assessment report released last week during a meeting with project partners at Cook Forest State Park,” said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. “The assessment involved a six-month evaluation of recreation along the river and it included a series of local stakeholder meetings.
“Among the recommendations outlined were to: improve river access and visitor amenities; establish a coordinated signage program; and explore options for intergovernmental cooperation along the corridor, all of which are reflected in the grants we are awarding,” DiBerardinis said.
The grants are:
Clarion County
Clarion Borough: $30,000 to prepare a comprehensive recreation, parks and open space plan and pool feasibility study for Clarion Borough, including review of the borough’s access to the Clarion River and possible improvements to the existing Toby Creek river access site and boat launch.
Elk County
Elk County: $107,700 for the development of recreation areas along the Clarion River, including the construction of two comfort facilities, two parking areas and two canoe access ramps; stream bank stabilization; and invasive species eradication.
Millstone Township: $20,000 for the development of Clarion River recreation access to include construction of parking areas, installation of ADA access and related site improvements.
Spring Creek Township: $20,000 for the development of Clarion River recreation access to include construction of parking areas, installation of ADA access and related site improvements.
Clarion, Elk, Forest and Jefferson
Lumber Heritage Region of PA: $36,000 for the development of a coordinated signage strategy to provide upgraded access sites along the Clarion River Corridor Water Trail.
The 101-mile Clarion River has its headwaters in northern Elk County; it ends in Clarion County where it flows into the Allegheny River. Almost 52 miles of the river are designated scenic and recreational under the federal National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
The Pennsylvania Wilds initiative is a program designed to encourage the growth of tourism and related businesses in north central Pennsylvania. Its goal is to enhance visitor experiences in this region, while protecting and conserving the land’s treasured natural resources.
The Pennsylvania Wilds covers Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties.
It includes 29 state parks and 1.5 million acres of state forest and game lands, the Allegheny National Forest, Pine Creek Gorge, the largest elk herd in the northeast U.S. and the darkest nighttime skies in the Eastern United States at Cherry Springs State Park.