From winding waterways, quiet ponds, wildlife-filled lakes and streams to its forests and woodlands, Bucks County takes the great outdoors seriously.
With over 200,000 visitors to the county’s three owned and operated parks alone, more than $1.8 million was spent in 2024 on restoration and repair projects to maintain and enhance visitors’ experiences.
At a regular commissioner’s meeting on Wednesday, Bucks County Parks and Recreation Executive Director Angie Nagle said a National Park System technical support grant will “allow us to start the very first park volunteer program” in the county.
The National Park System grant is for technical staff assistance and resources during a one to two year period, Bucks County officials said.
Nagle said community partnerships like Conservation District, Penn State Watershed Stewards, Friends of Silver Lake, Peace Valley and Churchville Nature centers and others donated more than 18,000 hours and an estimated $500,000 worth of volunteer time based on the Pennsylvania volunteer rate, Nagle said.
The National Park Program offers an opportunity to volunteer in several ways – from single volunteer days to a long term volunteer commitment, its website said.
The commonwealth’s volunteer program, run by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, manages volunteer hours in state parks.
Other grant funding amounted to $600,000 from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and National Resources.
More than 9,000 acres of county-operated parks throughout Bucks County include 26 parks, reservoirs, government complexes, historic resources and recreational areas, according to Bucks County.gov.
Nagle said during 2024, Bucks County rehabilitation projects included:
· Observation platform at Silver Lake Nature Center
· New playgrounds at Core Creek and Yellowwood parks
· Newly restored roof at Stover Myers Mill
· Pool seating at Oxford Valley
· Trail repairs at Peace Valley Nature Center
More than 9,000 acres of county-operated parks throughout Bucks County include 26 parks, reservoirs, government complexes, historic resources and recreational areas, according to Bucks County.gov.
A Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan (CRPOS) sets goals for the future, according to Nagle. From sustainability to more inclusive access, maintenance, trail connections, greenways, programming, flex spaces and future management, these elements are addressed in the CRPOS report, she noted.
Visit Bucks County funded a new pilot program to bring a naturalist program to Peace Valley Nature Center, Nagle said.
Equipped with bike trailers, bins, and theme-driven materials, “they set up discovery stations” at locations in the park such as Chapman Bridge.
The experience exposes visitors to various birds and the history of the nature center, Nagle said.
“This is where our naturalists took the show on the road and met people where they were – out in the park,” Nagle added.
Two public meetings are slated this year for residents to learn and share their thoughts about the county’s park system.
The first meeting will be held in May at the Bucks County Administration Building in Doylestown. A second meeting later this year will be held in Bristol.Visit Bucks County Parks & Recreation at Bucks County.gov for more information.
