Released: July 14, 2023
Delaware County will be opening the application period for a fourth round of Delco Green Ways, the popular municipal grant program for open space, trails, and recreation, on Monday, July 31. The three-year old grant program provides funding to municipalities — and non-profit organizations working with municipalities — for projects that advance the County’s 2035 Open Space, Recreation and Greenway Plan goals: Conserve, Enhance, Connect.
The Green Ways Grant program, first introduced in 2020, accomplishes this by funding projects at the municipal level, empowering and championing community-based efforts to beautify and conserve green spaces, trails, and parks for residents of all ages, interests, and abilities.
Building upon the success of the previous rounds, Grant Round Four has been further tailored to meet the unique needs of Delaware County’s people and places, with improvements and enhancements driven by the Delco Green Space Task Force (GSTF).
Comprised of thought-leader volunteers representing the fabric of Delco, GSTF leverages their expertise in the fields of green space preservation, natural lands conservation, parks and recreation management, fundraising, economics, business, real estate, law, health, communications, and community organizing to make Delco Green Ways an accessible and easy-to-use program.
Eligible municipal or multi-municipal projects may include fee simple acquisition of land, conservation or trail easements on private land, capital improvements to existing public parkland, regreening efforts, construction of trails, and planning services such as comprehensive open space plans, feasibility studies, design, and engineering plans.
A more comprehensive list of eligible project types and all complete program Guidelines and a sample of the Grant Applications will be made available on the Delco Green Ways Grant Program web page, located at delcopa.gov/greenways, prior to the start of July 31 application period.
Delco Green Ways Grant Program Round 4 Timeline
July 31, 2023. Open application period for Round 4 of Delco Green Ways Grant Program will begin! All submission materials will be available on the County’s website at delcopa.gov/greenways.
September 7, 2023. First of two information sessions, including a Q&A, to be held via Zoom. A sign-up link for the meetings will be provided shortly.
September 12, 2023. The second of two information sessions, including a Q&A, that will be held via Zoom. A sign-up link for the meetings will be provided shortly.
September 29, 2023. The deadline for Round 4 Delco Green Ways Grant applications.
October 2023. Green Ways evaluation team reviews applications and prepares recommendations for Delaware County Council’s consideration.
Late Fall, 2023. Delaware County Council will review recommendations and announce the Round 4 grant awards at a public meeting. Exact date to be announced in October.
For more information regarding the program, including grant submission details and guidance, municipalities are urged to visit the Delco Green Ways website at delcopa.gov/greenways.