DELCO Green Ways Grant Program - Round 4

This Program’s objective is to advance the County’s goals of conserving green spaces, connecting the County by creating safe ways to bicycle and walk from place to place, and enhancing public parks for people of all ages, interests, and abilities –– thereby fashioning a more unified countywide system. These goals, and others, are detailed in Delaware County’s Delaware County 2035: Open Space, Recreation, and Greenway Plan. (See below in the Supporting Documents field).

The Program includes four (4) broad funding categories:

• Conserve open space and natural features - - for the protection of undeveloped land in perpetuity. Eligible projects may include fee simple acquisition, conservation or trail easements on private land, or similar conservation methods pre-approved in writing by the Planning Director or designee.
• Enhance their environmental and recreational uses - - for capital improvements to park and/or recreational facilities. Eligible projects may include improvements to existing park facilities and regreening efforts (e.g., street tree plantings, green stormwater infrastructure, etc.).
• Connect communities, cultural/historic resources, and natural features - - for the development of multi-use trails included on the countywide Primary Trail Network (PTN), as shown on the map here: https://www.delcopa.gov/planning/greenspace/Round4/Round_4_DCGW_UsersGuide.pdf#page=14 Eligible projects include the final design and construction of multi-use trail segments within the PTN or the final design and construction of local single or multi-use trails. 
• Planning & Design future amenities in a prioritized, strategic fashion -  Applicants are encouraged to submit grant applications for full-scope Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plans or Municipal Trail Network Plans. Other types of plans and studies eligible under this category include, for example: trail feasibility studies, park master plans, and recreational needs assessments. Eligible expenses may include conceptual design, preliminary engineering and permitting, and title searches and appraisals.

Mini Parks, Recreation, & Open Space (PROS) Plan Grants - are offered again for those communities who did not receive an award in previous rounds. Eligible communities are listed here: https://www.delcopa.gov/planning/greenspace/Round4/Round_4_DCGW_UsersGuide.pdf#page=7 The scope of a Mini-PROS plan emphasizes open space conservation, park development and maintenance, and trails. 

Requirements For Conserve, Enhance, Connect, And Planning & Design Grant Applications: https://www.delcopa.gov/planning/greenspace/Round4/Round_4_DCGW_UsersGuide.pdf#page=12

Requirements For Mini-Pros Plan Grants: https://www.delcopa.gov/planning/greenspace/Round4/Round_4_DCGW_UsersGuide.pdf#page=13