A $44 million state investment in recreation and conservation projects is designed to benefit some 300 regional projects, revitalize communities and protect natural resources.

Last week, Gov. Ed Rendell announced a new series of grants intended to fund operation or improvements of 66 miles of trails, 10 swimming pools, 4,341 acres of open space and 73 planning projects for other parks, greenways, trails and regional efforts.

"The health and vitality of our communities is reflected in the quality of their parks and trails, access to rivers, open spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities," Mr. Rendell said. "This round of grants will fund hundreds of projects to help preserve and enhance those natural amenities."

The grants are funded through Growing Greener I and II, the ATV-Snowmobile Fund and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Keystone Fund, which comes from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

The grants will be applied to 316 projects including:

• Lawrence County: $45,000 for the development of boat launches and access along the Beaver and Shenango rivers.

• South Central Pennsylvania: $100,000 to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for work in special landscapes in the South Mountain area.

• Delaware and Lehigh counties: $300,000 to the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor for the Lehigh Valley Greenways initiative, and $25,000 to the Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

For a complete list of grants by county, go to www.dcnr.state.pa.us and click on "Grants."