Southwest Allegheny News

Rep. Natalie Mihalek has announced a significant financial boost for a recreation trail project in Bethel Park. A grant of $568,000 has been awarded to the initiative, which aims to enhance the local community's recreational facilities.

Mihalek expressed her support for the project, stating, "Organizers and community leaders have been advocating for this project and it is great to see it move forward." She added that Bethel Park is an active community where residents and visitors will benefit from such amenities.

The project involves developing a walking and biking trail within the Bethel Park Industrial Park. It will feature small parklets and bioswale gardens designed for passive recreation. The work includes grading, constructing concrete pavement, marking pedestrian and bike safety areas, and installing historic information markers.

Funding comes from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), managed by the Office of the Budget. This program supports regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects through grants authorized under a Capital Budget Itemization Act.

"Our local governments work hard to prioritize these kinds of projects while still budgeting responsibly," Mihalek noted. "Grants like these make these projects possible, and in a cost-effective manner."