Somerset Lake Nature Park to receive $184,000 for next phase of project

SOMERSET TWP. ― Gov. Josh Shapiro and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a $52.5 million investment Oct. 5 for more than 225 recreation and conservation projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources, and help revitalize local communities.

Somerset County received $184,000 from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, for further development of Somerset Lake Nature Park in Somerset Township. The work will include the construction of a pedestrian walkway, pedestrian bridge, pavilion and parking area, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

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"We are so excited. I cannot wait to get started," said Lindsay Baer, Somerset County Parks and Trails director. "We already did the design and engineering for the 2B section, so the grant money will go toward completing the construction, and the design, engineering and construction of phase 2C."

She said in addition to the trail, the money will be used to create handicapped parking areas to make sure everybody has access to the trail. The main boat launch is overgrown, so a company will be hired to help clear out that area so a bigger section of the lake will be able to be seen, Baer said.

"We're going to build a 40-foot-by-40-foot multi-use pavilion that will have 100-person capacity," she said. "This is really big. We're really excited."

Baer said many times this summer when she's gone to the trail, the many picnic tables already set up are in use.Over the summer crews were working on the 3B and 3A sections, so people could walk that entire side of the lake.

She expects that once they get the go-ahead from DCNR, the paperwork is done and contracts are signed, the bulk of the construction work will get started in the spring. The pavilion and clearing of the main boat launch work will probably get started this fall, depending on the weather conditions, Baer said.

$112 million in improvement funds

In the 2023-24 bipartisan budget, Shapiro advocated for $112 million to improve state parks and forests, spur economic growth in the outdoor recreation industry, and make Pennsylvania the largest state to open an Office of Outdoor Recreation.

“Our Commonwealth has incredible outdoor spaces – and for me, there’s no better place to be than on a Pennsylvania trail. So today, I’m proud to announce that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, led by Secretary Cindy Dunn, has awarded more than $52 million to more than 225 local projects across the Commonwealth that will help communities like Bethlehem connect more trails, improve more parks, and help more Pennsylvanians just enjoy their time outside,” said Shapiro at a press conference Oct. 5 in Bethlehem. “Our local parks and natural spaces are hometown treasures in our neighborhoods – in urban cities and rural towns alike. Communities across Pennsylvania should know that my administration is ready to work with you to protect and invest in your local treasures.”

The DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding sources, including the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund subject to National Park Service approval, the federal Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program, and the Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program.

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Investments in project proposals

Investments are being made in a variety of proposals, including 23 trail projects; protecting nearly 6,835 acres of open space; 13 projects for river conservation; 13 community and watershed forestry projects; and 99 projects to develop or rehabilitate recreation, park and conservation areas and facilities. DCNR announced nearly $1.4 million in funding for 10 ATV and snowmobile facilities and trails projects.

“These projects will fund critical improvements to local parks, river access and trails across the Commonwealth, which will bring outdoor recreation amenities closer to home and improve access in our communities,” Adams Dunn said. “Trails boost quality of life, and the role trails play as connectors is key in increasing Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness.”

Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks attract 40 million visitors annually, and outdoor recreation adds $14 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy and supports 150,000 jobs. Shapiro advocated for $112 million in the 2023-24 budget to improve parks and forests and create a new Office of Outdoor Recreation to connect Pennsylvania’s natural resources and parks with local businesses and put Pennsylvania on the map as a leader in outdoor recreation.

"We really encourage people to come to the lake where they can walk the first-mile section. They can also go to the east side of the lake where it is a primitive trail for about two miles," Baer said. "Keep exploring."

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset Lake Nature Park next phase of development in the works