State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, and state Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, have announced state grants have been awarded to projects in their legislative districts.

Funding for four projects, totaling $372,200, from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, was awarded Jan. 17 to Whitehall Township, Coplay Borough and Bushkill Township, McNeill and Miller said.

“The Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program and the Watershed Restoration Protection Program funding was important to secure, as these grants will provide improvements to our outdoors and waterways. This will allow for those in our community, young and old, to take advantage of these new and improved outdoor recreation spaces,” McNeill said.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grants, along with a Watershed Restoration Protection Program grant. Whitehall Township received $149,464 for the Coplay Creek stream bank restoration project and $12,750 for the Whitehall Parkway restoration and stewardship plan. Coplay Borough received $37,382 for the borough pool and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements. Bushkill Township received $172,604 for improvements to Bushkill Township Park.

Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program projects involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation. Additionally, the overall goal of the Watershed Restoration and Protection Program is to restore and maintain restored stream reaches impaired by the uncontrolled discharge of nonpoint source polluted runoff.

“This funding will go toward improving and restoring some of our great outdoor assets in the Lehigh Valley,” Miller said. “I am proud to have advocated to bring this funding back to our district to continue investing in our region’s outdoor resources. I hope all of our residents will be able to benefit from this funding. By continuing to invest and update them, we are providing a pathway for future generations to enjoy the many outdoor recreational facilities the Lehigh Valley has to offer.”

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages.