Local conservation and recreation projects in Carbon County and nearby areas will share in over $4.7 million worth of state grants.

The grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will help fund the renovation of Tamaqua’s public pool and preservation of land in Penn Forest and Lehigh townships.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced earlier this month that a total of $90 million in grants from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program would go to projects across the state.

Wolf said in a statement that the funding is an investment in improving quality of life for residents and making the state a destination for visitors.

“Pennsylvania encompasses some of the most beautiful natural areas in the nation,” Wolf said.

Grants are funded through a combination of sources including realty transfer taxes, ATV/snowmobile licensing fees, and federal money.

The $90 million total is the largest in the history of the grant program. DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said that the grant recipients have lined up an additional $125 million in matching funds for their projects.

“Many of the projects being funded - improvements to local parks, trails, and river access - bring these amenities closer to home, requiring less driving and expense to experience,” she said.

Tamaqua borough received the largest grant in the area, $1.75 million, for the rehabilitation of the H.D. Buehler Memorial Pool.

Two Carbon County land acquisition efforts were awarded at least $1 million each in grants. One will go toward preserving 1,140 acres for passive recreation in Lehigh Township; and another will help fund the acquisition of 635 acres in Penn Forest Township, for an addition to State Gamelands No. 141.

In Monroe County, Chestnuthill Township plans to use a grant to acquire 192.2 acres for the Big Woods Natural Area, where it will also develop a new trail.

The grant program also includes funding for a new 5-mile section of the D & L Trail, located north of the Mountain Top Trailhead in Luzerne County.

State Sen. John Yudichak, I-Luzerne/Carbon, said that the grants will continue to create recreation opportunities for visitors and residents in Carbon County. He thanked Dunn and the Wolf Administration, calling the DCNR secretary a tireless advocate for the region’s natural lands.

“Carbon County features some of the most beautiful and popular outdoor amenities in the entire state and the Community Conservation Partnerships Program continues to serve as a vital tool in order to help leverage our outdoor assets and drive continued economic growth in the region,” he said.

DCNR is accepting applications for another round of grants from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program through Oct. 27. The department says grants will focus on underserved communities, closing trail gaps, outdoor recreation, and planting trees along streams and in communities. More information is available at https://apps.dcnr.pa.gov/grants/.

Local grant recipients

Tamaqua borough: $1,750,000, rehabilitation of H.D. Buehler Memorial Pool, including renovation of main pool and zero-entry splash zone, construction of pedestrian walkway and decking, installation of filtration and recirculation systems, water features and utilities, ADA access.

Trust for Public Land: $1,465,500, payment toward acquisition of approximately 1,140 acres in Lehigh Township, Carbon County for passive recreation.

Wildlands Conservancy: $1,000,000, payment toward the acquisition of approximately 635 acres in Penn Forest Township for an addition to State Game Lands No. 141.

Chestnuthill Township: $250,000, payment toward the acquisition of 192.2 acres for an addition to the Big Woods Natural Area; $183,900 for development of Chestnuthill Township Park including pedestrian walkways, internal loop trail, comfort station, parking area and stormwater management; $40,000 for development of Big Woods Natural Area Trail.

Jim Thorpe borough: $171,000, rehabilitation of Memorial Park including pedestrian walkways, play equipment, sensory garden, ADA access; $65,000, design for removal of five dams along Silk Mill Run

Carbon County: $50,000, to prepare an update to the county’s Comprehensive Greenway, Trail and Open Space Plan.