New nonprofit fund to benefit four parks in county

Keith Gushard, The Meadville Tribune, Pa.
·1 min read

May 11—Four Crawford County parks have teamed up with new nonprofit Pennsylvania Parks Fund for potential grant funds.

Participating parks and organizations are Friends of Pymatuning State Park, Cambridge Springs Recreation Park, Oak Grove Park in West Mead Township and the John Brown Tannery site.

Each participating park submitted a grant proposal on what it would use funding toward.

The Pennsylvania Parks Fund is helping fund raise for 79 parks in western Pennsylvania, said Justin Spencer of Pennsylvania Parks Fund, which is based in Indiana, Pa.

The Pennsylvania Parks Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the Social Good Fund, an IRS 501©(3) nonprofit organization with all donations tax-deductible. The Social Good Fund is a registered charity with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Friends of Pymatuning State Park is seeking $100,000 for interactive stations along a one-mile nature trail for autistic and non-autistic people as there are no dedicated outdoor recreation areas for those on the autism spectrum.

Cambridge Springs Recreation Park is seeking $50,000 to install two pickleball courts and a basketball court at its municipal recreation park.

West Mead Township is seeking $5,000 to replace swing sets at its Oak Grove Park.

The John Brown Heritage Society is seeking $3,000 to develop a lot next to the John Brown Tannery Site near Townville.

Fundraising runs now through Feb. 28, 2025, Spencer said. Grants then will be disbursed to parks in April 2025. In the event fund goals are raised sooner, the grants will be disbursed to parks sooner.

—More information on donations and projects: Visit the Pennsylvania Parks Fund website, PennsylvaniaParks.org.

Keith Gushard can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.