BLOOMING GROVE TWP - The Trust for Public Land acquired 310 acres of forested land in Blooming Grove Township for conveyance to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).  In doing so, another 310 acres has been added to the Delaware State Forest for public enjoyment and increased recreation opportunities.

The 310 acres is available for hiking, hunting, bird watching, horseback riding mountain biking and many other activities

Through the Pike County Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program, which was approved by voters in 2005, The Trust for Public Land made an application for grant consideration.

Acknowledging the high natural resource values of the property and the anticipated public use, a successful partnership was forged to bring this project to fruition.

“The Trust for Public Land is pleased to have partnered with Pike County and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to add this property to the Delaware State Forest,” said Anthony Cucchi, Pennsylvania state director for The Trust for Public Land.

The $600,000 grant award from the Pike County Scenic Rural Character Preservation (SRCP) Program was used to leverage $600,000 in state funds through the Pennsylvania Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) to close the deal.

“This project is a perfect example of how the Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program has been able to maximize county bond monies”, said Rich Caridi, Chairman of the Pike County Board of Commissioners.  “At a one-to-one financial match, the County is realizing significant conservation goals and enhancing recreational opportunities for our residents”. In fact, for every SRCP dollar that has been spent on Easement and Acquisition projects, the Preservation Program averages $0.83 in state or federal grant funds.

With frontage along routes 6 and 402 and its adjacency to existing state lands, this was a high acquisition priority for the Delaware State Forest. The 310-acre property was also recognized as an open space conservation opportunity in the 2008 Pike County Open Space Plan.

This newest addition to the Delaware State Forest is readily accessible from Route 6 at an existing DCNR parking area. Visitors can also access the property from White Deer Lake Road if a rocky traverse is better suited to your sense of adventure.

The Pike County Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program is administered through the Pike County Office of Community Planning, located on Route 6 in Shohola, PA.  For more information on the Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program, please contact Jessica Grohmann, Preservation Planner, at 570-296-3500 or visit our website at www.pikepa.org/srcp.html