The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development awarded $200,000 in Greenways Program funding to support multiple parks throughout the county. The funding will go to community park projects in Wesleyville, Albion, Wattsburg, Summit and Greene townships, and Girard.
“Overall, a lot of these projects, you know, really focused on maximizing investments as possible, so a lot of these projects you’ll see, they were areas where they had a gap they needed filled,” said Emerson Bannon, deputy director of the Erie County Department of Planning & Community Development.
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Recreational projects supported include $60,000 for the Albion Park pedestrian bridge, $10,000 to the Township Park walking trails in Greene Township, and $60,000 in improvements to Morrison Park in Wesleyville. County officials said the goal is to improve local parks and expand recreational opportunities for communities across Erie County.
“When you invest in the places that people live, and you give a better quality of life, I mean, that is improving the lives of the people in Erie County, and that’s why, you know, this is an important program and why I feel so strongly about this program,” said Erie County Executive Christina Vogel.
“Recreation is really important, not just for quality of life; we all enjoy going to our parks, but also for health, wellness, you know, these are the things that help keep us active and moving, as well as a vital tool for economic development. Those quality of life indicators, those help bring jobs,” said Bannon.
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County leadership said the Erie County Greenways Program has helped improve communities and showcase local natural beauty since 2013.
“I would just encourage everyone to come out to all the different areas that are getting, and to here, Picnicana, and just see what the county has to offer in all these different places,” said Vogel.
Vogel hopes to continue the impact of the program through these six park projects and for years to come.
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