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South Whitehall to seek DCNR funds to update Covered Bridge Park plan after flood concerns
Summary
The board authorized applying for a DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Program grant to update the Covered Bridge Park master site plan, proposing a $110,000 study with a $55,000 DCNR request and $55,000 township match to account for persistent flooding issues that limit earlier designs.
South Whitehall Township will apply for a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grant to update the Covered Bridge Park master site plan, the board agreed March 19.
Long-range planner Chris Stroller told the board that more than a decade has passed since the park’s master plan and that changing floodplain conditions — and consultant land-study findings — make portions of the earlier plan infeasible. Staff recommended returning the township’s current grant for phase C of earlier work and instead seek a new DCNR planning grant to produce an updated master plan, public engagement, site inventory, programming recommendations and a capital-improvement phasing plan.
Stroller presented a total project estimate of $110,000, with DCNR covering $55,000 and the township providing a $55,000 match in cash or in-kind services. Staff said less than $1,100 has been spent on the current DCNR-funded work to date.
Commissioners praised the proposal as a prudent step to align recreation goals with the park’s flood-prone conditions and to incorporate past land studies into updated planning. The board voted to authorize the application and return of the prior grant 5–0.
What’s next: if awarded, the township will budget its $55,000 match for 2026 and then issue an RFP for consultant services and bring a refined scope and contract back to the board.
