Yesterday, PECO hosted a special ceremony to honor the 20 municipalities and nonprofit organizations selected earlier this year as recipients of the 2025 PECO Green Region Open Space Program. The event recognized their efforts to preserve, protect, and enhance open spaces across southeastern Pennsylvania. This year’s recipients were awarded more than $200,000 combined in grant funding to support local sustainability and preservation projects.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the program, a $50,000 one-time bonus was announced to showcase decades of impact. That grant was awarded to Delta Borough in York County, which was formally recognized alongside this year’s winners. Delta Borough will use the funds to upgrade the lighting system at the Mason Dixon Fairgrounds. The installation of 14 energy-efficient, pole-mounted LED lights will cut energy use in half, reduce operational costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, advancing both local goals and PECO’s broader Path to Clean initiative.
“We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to support these projects that will have sustainable impacts in our local communities,” said David Vahos, PECO president and CEO. “For more than 20 years now, our PECO Green Region Open Space Program is making a real impact in preserving open space and supporting initiatives that are helping to build a more sustainable future for all.”
This year, the following 20 grant recipients will continue this important work across the area:
- Bucks County ($30,000 total for 3 winners):
- Lower Makefield Township: Will start the second phase of their Five Mile Woods Preserve ADA Accessibility Enhancement Project.
- Warminster Township: Will expand their restoration initiative and improve meadow areas of Kemper Park.
- Bristol Township: Will proceed with their tree planting initiative across three parks.
- Chester County ($30,000 total for 4 winners):
- Caln Township: Will replace 7 acres of mowed turf with a pollinator and wildlife-friendly meadow park which will provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.
- New Garden Township: Will pave a walking path and build a new foot bridge.
- West Bradford Township: Will install approximately 10,000 hydrophytic vegetation and plantings in Shadyside Park.
- West Goshen Township: Will install solar on the Public Works Department facility.
- Delaware County ($30,000 total for 4 winners):
- Upland Borough: Will design a concept plan for the Bristol Lord Field Revitalization Project upgrade.
- Radnor Township: Will plant 150 native bare root trees in parks and along the township’s right-of-way.
- Parkside Borough: To provide an expansion of the Woodlot Memorial Gardens with tree sapling.
- Upper Chichester Township: Will update Excelsior Park entrance with accessibility and beautification improvements.
- Montgomery County ($30,000 total for 4 winners):
- Pottstown Borough: Will plant approximately 160 native species of trees within Riverfront Park.
- Hatboro Borough: Will install energy efficient lighting in the Pennypack Community Center.
- Limerick Township: Will plant approximately 66 trees to their newly expanded Community Park.
- Upper Gwynedd Township: Will extend the Liberty Bell Trail by approximately 1 mile and build out 25+ mile trail network from Norristown to Bucks County.
- Philadelphia County ($31,300 total for 4 winners):
- COSACOSA Art at Large, Inc.: Will enhance their Healing and Unity Garden through plantings and more.
- Riverfront North Partnership: Will plant approximately 150 trees and enhance spaces.
- First Stop Recovery: Will create raised garden beds, install innovative aquaponics system and transform space.
- HACE: Will address soil erosion, maintain existing willow trees and more.
- York County (Bonus Grant – $50,000 total):
- Delta Borough: Will upgrade the lighting system at the Mason Dixon Fairgrounds.
To learn more about past PECO Green Region Open Space Program grant recipients and their impact over the years, visit pecoconnection.com.
Since launching the program in 2004, in partnership with Natural Lands, PECO’s Green Region Open Space Program has awarded more than $3 million in funding for more than 400 individual open space improvement projects. These investments help preserve and enhance local green spaces, providing more communities with access to nature. Among other enhancements, these grants have funded the planting of almost 9,000 trees, supported more than 150 upgrades to local parks, built and improved more than 50 miles of trails, and improved access to natural areas.
For more information about the program visit natlands.org/greenregion.
