PHILADELPHIA, (May 8, 2008) – PECO has identified four Delaware County municipalities with projects focusing on open space conservation and parks and recreational resources to receive $25,000 in grant funding.  The grants are being made through the PECO Green Region program, which assists municipalities in southeastern Pennsylvania with ongoing efforts to protect and improve open land.

Including those in Delaware County, PECO has identified 15 different projects from across the Philadelphia region to receive more than $110,000 in Green Region grants this summer.  Since the Green Region program’s beginning in 2005, PECO has provided nearly a half million dollars toward qualifying projects.

“PECO is proud to support programs that improve our environment and the quality of life for our customers,” said Denis O’Brien, PECO president and CEO.  “It is pleasing to know that by working together we can identify ways to improve the environment throughout the region.”

Municipalities may apply for a Green Region grant of up to $10,000 per project.  A committee, which includes representatives from PECO, Exelon, county agencies and conservation organizations, reviews applications and issues the grants.  The grant program is administered by Natural Lands Trust, the region’s largest land conservation organization.

Delaware County’s recipients for 2008 awards are:

Bethel Township: $5,000 to support improvements to the Bethel Springs Elementary School Nature Trail. The trail winds its way from the school to the banks of Naaman’s Creek and is used for nature and science education at the school. The project will enhance the trail by providing two sturdy bridges to allow safer access, creating permanent trail markers with educational information about native species, adding signs to welcome and direct visitors to the trail, and placing benches within the trail.

Newtown Township: $7,500 to support the planning and installation of additions to Drexel Lodge Park. The park is used for historical days, summer concert programs, Boy Scout events, and soccer programs. The grant will offset some of the costs of installing a second fountain in a large pond, as well as to create a boardwalk with a gazebo. The township also hopes to increase the stock of fish in the pond.

Borough of Ridley Park: $7,500 for the implementation of the Remediation Plan for Little Crum Creek in East Lake Park. The plan will address erosion and sedimentation origination within the Borough. The plan was completed by Delaware Riverkeeper Network for the upstream section of Little Crum Creek and, when implemented, will enhance the scenic appeal, functionality, and recreation potential of the area.

Swarthmore Borough: $5,000 to support the creation of a Watershed Action Priorities Plan for the Little Crum Creek. This multi-municipal project seeks to address the problems of erosion and flooding in the Watershed. The assessment will provide stream restoration recommendations to stabilize eroding banks, retrofit stormwater management facilities, and re-establish the stream’s pattern, profile, and dimensions.