PHILADELPHIA, (May 8, 2008) – PECO has identified three Chester 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 Chester 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.

Chester County’s recipients for 2008 awards are:

Borough of Kennett Square: $10,000 for the completion of the Red Clay Trail. The trail is a one and a half mile pedestrian trail that connects five community facilities in Kennett Borough and Kennett Township.  The funds will be used to create additional surfacing, directional signs, and add a bathroom facility.

South Coventry Township: $9,900 for the creation of a master plan for Woody’s Woods. The funds will help pay for a consultant to work with the Parks and Recreation board to develop a plan which will include a resource inventory, trail mapping, and a maintenance plan. Woody’s Woods is a part of the Hopewell Big Woods Conservation Area and consists of approximately 260 acres of wilderness parkland.

West Brandywine Township: $5,100 to support development of a trail system for Icedale Meadows. The property includes a scenic meadow bisected by a stream channel, mature woodland, and a forested riparian buffer. The goal is to create a multi-purpose unpaved trail, an observation desck, improvements to the parking area, and an interpretive display highlighting the history of Icedale.