Fayette County is upping its game with new upgrades to Dunlap Creek Park in Menallen Township, as county officials donned hard hats and dug in at the official groundbreaking event this past Friday. In what's described as part of the larger 2022 Parks Master Site Development Plan, the new addition will feature an 8-foot-wide walking trail winding around the park's lake, tallying up to a 9,800-linear-foot loop, an initiative received warmly by the public. "It's an exciting day for Fayette County," Fayette County Chief Community Development Specialist Art Cappella stated, acknowledging the community’s support for the project, which was cited in the Fayette County press release.

The first phase of the Dunlap Creek Park project which not only included the essential permitting and designs but also, was completed last year thanks to a generous grant bringing us up to this pivotal moment. According to an interview with Cappella, a further financial boost was secured with a $200,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for Phase II, which, with matched contributions from Commissioners Scott Dunn, Vince Vicites, and Dave Lohr, has now doubled the available funds for the upcoming developments. The search for additional grants for Phase III charges ahead with hopes of an award from the state Department of Community and Economic Development this fall.

The expected boon of the new trail to local dwellers and out-of-town visitors was not lost on Commissioner Dunn, who foresees the trail becoming a "huge draw" and serving as an engine for enhancing local tourism. "We've dedicated a lot of resources to ensuring our parks are some of the most beautiful and family-friendly in Pennsylvania," Dunn said, indicating the commission's intention to make the parks a homey place for all, as mentioned in their press release.

If you're all about following Fayette County's green initiatives or just need more details about the park's facelift, you can direct your inquiries to Art Cappella via [email protected] or Jeff Ambrose at [email protected].