NEWS RELEASE

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Christina Novak
DCNR Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101

GOVERNOR RENDELL SAYS PA INVESTING TO IMPROVE IMPORTANT RECREATION FACILITY IN DOWNTOWN CHAMBERSBURG

HARRISBURG (June 29, 2006) — Governor Edward G. Rendell today said the commonwealth will help renovate Mike Waters Memorial Park in Chambersburg, Franklin County, so it can continue to provide community recreation for the residents of the downtown area.

The Governor said the state will provide $150,000 to the project through Growing Greener II, a $625 million bond issue that is helping revitalize communities across Pennsylvania.

“Mike Waters Memorial Park is an incredible recreational asset for families and children in Chambersburg and it is critical that we help to maintain it” Governor Rendell said. “This is an example of how we are investing state resources to revitalize and invigorate our communities while improving the quality of life for our residents.”

The grant will help fund renovations to the basketball courts, construction of a pavilion, playground equipment and safety surfacing, lighting, fencing and other site improvements.

“Our grants allow us to work with communities to help preserve and enhance what we treasure in Pennsylvania—our parks, greenways, open spaces and outdoor recreational opportunities,” DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said at an event at the park announcing the grant. “We are happy to offer the Chambersburg community the helping hand it needs to polish this downtown asset.”

The park is named in honor of Mike Waters, a native of Chambersburg and a local athlete who advocated for the African American community and who’s organization adopted the park.

“Our master plan for parks and recreation shows Mike Waters Memorial Park as the most visited neighborhood park in the borough,” said Chambersburg Superintendent of Recreation Herb Dolaway. “This grant will allow us to continue upgrades to this park, which will better serve the public with improved and more accessible recreation areas.”

Growing Greener II, which is administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program, is a voter-approved $625 million bond issue to clean up rivers and streams; protect natural areas, open spaces and working farms; and shore up key programs to improve quality of life and revitalize communities across the commonwealth.

For more information about the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us (choose “Recreation and Conservation”). For more information about Growing Greener II, visit www.growinggreener2.com.

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2006