Feb. 13, 2024
HARRISBURG – Forest City’s Center Street Pocket Park will benefit from state grants totaling $329,462, according to Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) and
Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-111).
Identified as a priority by volunteers of the Forest City Outdoor Action Team Committee, the Borough of Forest City designated a section of land between Main Street and Delaware Street as a recognized green space.
Committee chair Dr. Katie Zefran explained that the group has been working to transform what is currently an unsafe, deteriorated metal staircase and an overgrown slope into a multi-use, vibrant attraction. Funding will be used to establish the Center Street Pocket Park to beautify the community and contribute to its civic and cultural life.
“The pocket park is a standalone improvement,” Zefran said. “However, it is part of a broader plan to bring wellness, tourism, and economic growth to Forest City.”
The Borough of Forest City Outdoor Town Action Plan, funded through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), provides a clear strategy to achieve long-term goals for economic vitality and quality of life within the borough.
“This includes attracting tourists and D&H trail users to Main Street through revitalization efforts,” Zefran added. “Creating destinations, like this new pocket park, are key components for plan implementation."
"Every community benefits from having green spaces accessible for families seeking a place to gather, exercise, or relax. Well-designed parks also promote tourism and provide a variety of environmental protections,” Baker said. “These grants provide crucial funding for a significant project that will contribute to the sense of well-being in Forest City Borough.”
“I am very pleased to support Forest City Borough in obtaining these dollars. Community enhancement projects are a big deal in the rural 111th District,” Fritz said. “It is all about quality of life and providing a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. I look forward to seeing the construction begin on this awesome project.”
Forest City Borough is receiving a grant in the amount of $212,462 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. $117,000 was also awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Keystone Communities Program.
CONTACTS:
February 13, 2024
Melissa Fox (Fritz) mefox@pahousegop.com