Funding Our Park: Making Our Vision a Reality

Written By Jessica Graf

On September 6th, we received wonderful, sooner than expected, news. Governor Tom Wolf announced an investment of $90 million for recreation, conservation and community revitalization.

Our Karl Gerdon Park PA DCNR grant request was fully funded in the amount of $381,500.

Additionally, the Crawford County Planning Office notified us this morning that our 2022 Community Block Development Grant application for $86,000 was selected.

Furthermore, Crawford Gives donors contributed another $900 at the end of August. Now that the project is funded, we will begin to work with the granting organizations to navigate the next steps.

Although this process is thorough and will take time, we can all look forward to a wonderful space to enjoy in the future.

Much of the project timeline will be guided by the PA DCNR and contingent on the availability of the necessary professionals and materials to complete the work.

 

Secured Grants and Cash: $723,412

In-Kind Labor/Equipment/Materials Commitments: $91,644

Total Grants/Cash/In-Kind Labor/Equipment/Materials: $815,056

 

THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN US!

Sincerely,

Your Park Advisory and Planning Committee

Jon Atkin, Jill Dunlap, Diana Ferris, Jessica Graf, Jessica Lewis, Kim Masternak, Robert Proper, Robert Thayer, Blaine Walp, Norma Woodward 

Contributions:

Private Contributors

  • Anonymous Donors (x4)

  • David Acker

  • John & Debbie Acker

  • Ed & Denette Adams

  • Renee & Dale Atkin

  • Patricia Belfi

  • Brenda Belovarac

  • Lisa Brinker - Brink Ink

  • Mary & Ron Brown

  • Josh & Olivia Piatt - Champion Hill Farm, LLC

  • William & Sharon Coleman

  • Vanessa & Michael Crowther

  • Jack & Rebecca Culbertson

  • Carole Doutt

  • Jill & Ron Dunlap

  • Diana George & John Edwards

  • David & Christina Ewing

  • Diana & Randy Ferris

  • Kevin & Teresa Forcier

  • Roger Gage

  • Tim & Erin Geibel

  • Richard & Kris Gosnell

  • Eric and Jessica Graf

  • Randy & Delores Hale

  • Karen & Craig Hayes

  • Renee & David Hayes

  • Jodi & David Ingalls

  • Richard Johns

  • Beverly Kantz

  • Dennis Knoedler

  • Tom & Jacqueline Knoedler

  • Tricia Sweatman - Kraeling Industries Inc.

  • Bonnie Krider

  • Vic & Joyce Kwiatkowski

  • Patricia Lasher

  • Jim & Barb Levens

  • Durbin & Kim Loreno - Venango Valley Inn

  • Kim & Marcus Masternak

  • Martha & Peter Mathews

  • Coralynn McClune

  • Northwestern REC

  • Ann & Sheldon Pentz

  • Noel & Nancy Pierce

  • Viola Powell

  • Leah Rauscher

  • Chanda & Charles Rice

  • Darlene Senft

  • Nyla Shellito

  • Ashley Sherretts - Venango Vendor Show

  • Lizbeth Sipple

  • Bill & Thelma Smith

  • Chuck & Debbie Smith

  • Don (Ducker) Smith

  • Paul Smith

  • Jessie & Robert Snyder

  • Eugene & Leslie Soltesz

  • Samuel & Barbara Spencer

  • Minnie & Brian Sprague

  • Lyle & Mary Stainbrook

  • Tom Swift

  • Stephanie Thauer & John Harmle

  • Yvonne & Bob Thayer

  • William Tobin

  • Jenny Tompkins

  • Blaine Walp

  • Elizabeth Ware

  • Gail & Bob Waterhouse

  • Gary & Charna Wolfe

  • David & Margaret Yasenchack

  • Scott Yeager - IP Services, Inc.

  • Jessica Lewis - JessicaLewisVoice.com

  • Dave Lewis - Clarity Pro AV

    Public and Non-Profit Contributors

  • Cambridge Township

  • Crawford County Planning Office - CDBG

  • Crawford Heritage Community Foundation

  • Cussewago Township

  • James D. Bowers Memorial Post 169 V.F.W.

  • Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

  • Pennsylvania Environmental Council

  • Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds & Rivers

  • Venango Borough

  • Venango Township

  • Venango United Methodist Church

  • Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

    In-Kind Labor, Equipment Use and Materials Commitments

  • Dennis Archacki Excavating

  • Cussewago Truss, LLC

  • Don and Randy Ferris, Inc.

  • LawnWerxs Lawn Care and Maintenance

  • Craig Newell Welding, Inc.

  • Gary Nirmaier Professional Tree Service

  • Quiring Brothers Paving, LLC

    Letters of Support 

  • Crawford County Planning Office - Zach Norwood, Samantha Travis, Jenny Tompkins

  • Crawford County Commissioners - Eric Henry, Christopher Soff, Francis Weiderspahn

  • French Creek Valley Conservancy - Brenda Costa

  • Park Committee Members: Jon Atkin, Diana Ferris Jessica Lewis, Kim Masternak, Robert Thayer, Blaine Walp 

  • Park Neighbors: Joanne Knoedler, Kevin & Teresa Forcier

  • State Senator Michele Brooks

  • State Representative Brad Roae

  • U.S. Representative Mike Kelly

  • Venango Dice Drifters - Ralph Eakin

  • Venango Volunteer Fire Department - Robert Proper, Jon Atkin

  • Venango United Methodist Church - Larry Peters, Blaine Walp

Jessica Graf
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