NORRISTOWN — Officials have designated nearly $2.5 million to help fund 13 projects in municipalities across Montgomery County through the 2024 Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program.
The ninth annual initiative initially received 23 applications for projects out of 22 municipalities totaling more than $4 million.
“These grant awards will assist municipalities in making targeted physical improvements that achieve real progress toward the goals of the plan and the plan’s themes of Connected Communities, Sustainable Places, and Vibrant Economy,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder said in a statement.
County employees and planning commission representatives made up a committee that evaluated the proposals based on impact, equity, county and local planning consistency, project readiness, and local project funding. Nearly $17.8 million has been awarded to fund 140 projects in 53 municipalities since the program’s founding, according to county officials.
Projects that incorporated priorities for the 2024 initiative were given “heightened consideration,” including “Walk Montco and Bike Montco,” trails, paths, sidewalk connections and bike facilities; “downtown and community destination support” or “adaptation and resiliency.”
“From investments in solar installations to parks and trails to infrastructure for ADA accessibility and climate resiliency, we think government’s job is to plan for the future for all of our residents,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija said in a statement. “I can’t wait to see these projects completed as quickly as possible in collaboration with our municipalities.”
“I’m confident the grants awarded this year are aligned with our goals to maintain Montgomery County’s natural beauty and community bonds,” Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello said in a statement. “These projects will ensure municipalities across the county are more accessible to their residents and more conducive to local business and tourism.”
The following projects received funding from the program’s 2024 cycle:
Abington Township: $151,645 for phase two of the Ardsley Wildlife Sanctuary
The proposed project will extend the ADA-accessible path to the existing basin, address erosive runoff with natural stormwater features (vegetated swales, a rain garden, and spillway), remove and manage the reemergence of invasive plant material, restore forest, riparian and meadow habitat, and provide recreational and educational opportunities.
Collegeville: $250,000 for the Bum’s Hollow Perkiomen trail connection
This project would connect the middle of the 400 block of Main Street to the Perkiomen Trail through a borough-owned property at the end of Clamer Avenue and along “Bums Hollow,” which is an unimproved road easement that was dedicated to the borough. This will help fulfill an important component of the borough’s revitalization strategy, which is to have a connection to the Perkiomen Trail.
Hatfield Township: $200,000 for the Clemens Park stormwater basin project
This proposal would fund the construction of a stormwater basin at John S. Clemens Memorial Park (Clemens Park). With the recent addition of new acreage to this park, a comprehensive park plan was created to best envision the future of this property and how it can meet the community’s needs. This basin is part of the park plan’s implementation.
Lower Gwynedd Township: $250,000 for the Penllyn Train Station trail connection project
This is a proposed trail extension to connect Penllyn Train Station to Pen-Ambler Park and Ambler Yards, a mixed-use development, where there is currently no sidewalk and unsafe conditions for pedestrians. The trail would begin at the maintenance access to Pen-Ambler Park, where a crosswalk carries trail users to the north side of Pen-Ambler Road, continuing to the intersection of Pen-Ambler Road and Old Penllyn Pike, where crosswalks are provided across both streets and a sidewalk extension connects the trail to the train station.
Lower Merion Township: $250,000 for the Ludington Library Solar Installation Project
This project will help the township to lead by example by meeting its goal of transitioning township facilities and operations to clean energy sources by 2035. The project would result in the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) solar array on the lower roof of Ludington Library, as well as two ground-mounted PV solar canopies over portions of the library parking lot.
Lower Salford Township: $113,650 for the Yoder Road sidewalk connections project
This project involves the construction of approximately 900 linear feet of new concrete sidewalk along the south side of Yoder Road between Vernal Lane and Kulp Road. The project scope also includes the installation of a minor segment of roadway curb as well as associated ADA pedestrian accommodations, driveway modifications, and street trees. This will connect several local destinations to each other, including Indian Creek Middle School.
Pottstown: $250,000 for a sidewalk replacement and tree protection project
This proposal would fund the rehabilitation and replacement of sidewalks in 33 locations in the core business and residential district, where street trees have damaged the sidewalks. An arborist will be engaged to determine if the trees remain viable or if replacement is necessary. Flexi-Pave will be used to surround the trees, and the sidewalks will be replaced with similar concrete pavers, where needed.
Red Hill: $229,230 for phase one of parks improvement project compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
This proposal would fund the borough’s ADA upgrades to two parks—Red Hill Park and the Bio-Retention Garden. Upgrades include ADA parking spaces, sidewalks, and ADA-compliant paths and ramps.
Royersford: $73,500 for phase two of Victory Park improvements
This project focuses on upgrading the park’s infrastructure. The project includes establishing permeable, paved pathways that are ADA accessible, upgrading playground surfaces from wood chips to poured-in-place surfaces to meet ADA standards, and replacing all current picnic tables and bench seating with an equal selection of ADA-accessible options.
Trappe: $250,000 for Speaker’s House restoration efforts
This application was submitted on behalf of Historic Trappe, a local nonprofit organization, for funds to assist in the completion of the restoration of the Speaker’s House by 2026, so this historic site can be fully open to the public for the America 250 celebrations. While exterior renovations are largely complete, interior renovations and systems upgrades are needed to make this building ready for use by the general public.
Upper Moreland Township: $225,000 for Woodlawn Park development
This project helps implement the recently adopted Woodlawn Park Master Plan and will assist with extensive native plantings, stormwater management, benches, trash receptacles, and a USGS historic marker and plaza as the township prepares to redevelop this park.
Whitemarsh Township: $228,552 for Spring Mill Junction improvements
This project focuses on enhanced safety in the Spring Mill Junction area at the intersection of a SEPTA rail station and associated parking, county-owned open space, as well as the Schuylkill River Trail. Proposed safety improvements include thermoplastic crosswalk markings and other improvements at the intersection of the trail and Station Avenue, a new raised speed table/crosswalk from the Tricycle Cafe across Station Avenue, and construction of a deck gathering area for improved pedestrian and bicyclist safety, pop-up events, and a place where bicyclists and pedestrians can rest and congregate out of the roadway.
Whitpain Township: $10,374 for Bike Fix-it stations and bike racks
These grant funds will help purchase three bicycle Fix-It Plus Stations with air prime kits and eight bike racks to be installed at several township parks and open space areas. This small but impactful project will add to Whitpain’s ongoing efforts to be a more bike-friendly community.
