Township manager touts parks growth, new grants and $500,000 annual capital allocation

Township Manager Amanda delivered the annual state-of-the-township update at the March 3 Concord Township council meeting, highlighting recent grant awards, infrastructure work and expanded park programming.

Amanda said the township’s parks saw attendance rise about 33% over 2024 and credited sponsors and programming for the increase. “we just got another million and a half awarded to us for this project,” she said about the Octoraro Trail grant and said right-of-way acquisitions are being finalized.

Amanda listed several recent grants and capital investments: a $178,000 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for Beaver Valley Neighborhood Park; a roughly $4,200,000 Smithbridge Road corridor project underway with right-of-way work and a PennDOT constructability review; upgrades at the sewer plant including a UV disinfection system and an estimated $900,000 SCADA modernization project; and replacement of over 300 feet of stormwater pipe.

She also told the council the 2026 budget dedicates $500,000 annually from the general fund for township capital projects to cover improvements that lack a dedicated revenue stream. “we, dedicated, 500,000 annually, for township capital projects in our general fund,” Amanda said, describing the change as important for keeping projects on schedule.

Amanda noted community and volunteer efforts, including 21,000 pounds of electronics and paper recycled during the last year and partnership-supported plantings of 65 native trees. She praised the five-year service contract with Concordville Fire and Protective Association and said the township has awarded over $6,000,000 in grant-funded projects.

The manager encouraged residents to use the township’s reports and website for more detail and to contact staff with questions. The council did not take any formal action on the state address; the remarks provided context for several agenda items later in the meeting.