West Chester, Pa. (October 7, 2026) – Two parks in East Bradford Township and West Chester Borough are slated for major upgrades thanks to state funding announced today by State Senator Carolyn Comitta and State Representative Chris Pielli.
The projects are funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2).
John O. Green Park in West Chester was awarded $250,000 to replace aging playground equipment, install compliant safety surfaces and fall zones, extend the pavilion to expand usable shade and gathering space, add green/natural play areas, and make targeted site and safety upgrades. The improvements aim to ensure that the park remains an inclusive, engaging play environment for children of all abilities.
East Bradford Park was awarded $900,000 to replace outdated playgrounds with new, fully inclusive play equipment, add poured-in-place safety surfacing, replace the aging tennis and pickleball courts, add a new tennis ball wall, replace the aging baseball scoreboard, redesign and retrofit the existing parking lot and pedestrian access, add new accessible drinking fountains, install native landscaping, and add shaded areas near play areas. The upgrades are designed to enhance the park’s usability, sustainability, and long-term value to the community.
“Parks, trails, playgrounds, and playing fields and courts are a big part of the strong quality of life in communities across Chester County. With these investments, we are expanding options for children, families, and visitors to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, meet up with friends and neighbors, and more,” said Comitta. “I want to thank Rep. Pielli and our partners in East Bradford and West Chester for their work in continuing to promote health and well-being through outdoor recreation and activity.”
“At a time when land availability is shrinking, investing in our current parks and green spaces is extremely crucial,” Pielli said. “These grants to East Bradford Township and West Chester Borough will help them continue to protect, preserve, and improve our shared land now and for future generations. My team and I are proud to work with State Senator Comitta and her staff to identify, support, and advocate for District grants through every step of the process, so that every resident can reap the benefits of this DCNR funding. I look forward to visiting these parks to see these improvements take shape in our community!”
Named after a former West Chester Chief of Police, John O. Green Park was developed, with state support, on a remediated site nearly two decades ago. The park serves an area of the borough where families may face greater barriers to accessing safe, high-quality recreation. The proposed improvements will help address those gaps and align with the borough’s plans to support equitable public health, youth development, and neighborhood well-being in underserved areas. In addition, the borough is already undertaking a significant park update by investing in improvements to its splashpad, including new water play features and an enhanced fall zone designed for easier long-term maintenance.
East Bradford Park plays a vital role in the community, featuring the only non-school-owned public playground and public tennis and pickleball courts in the township.
The C2P2 grant program is funded by a variety of state and federal funding sources. The West Chester and East Bradford projects were funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Keystone Fund.
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