2001

The agency was responsible for the ongoing maintenance and operation of 470 acres of park land, including 36 municipal parks, 2 outdoor pools, the Centre Region Senior Center, and the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. The agency acquired a two new parks, Greenbriar/Saybrook Park, located in Ferguson Township, and Haugh Track Park, located in Patton Township.

Over 700 programs and events were offered during 2001. As a result, the agency conducted 40,538 customer transactions (including program or league registrations & sign-ups, pavilion reservations, etc.) A total of 814 reservation permits were issued for the 14 picnic pavilions during 2001.

The PA Recreation and Park Society presented two awards to the agency in March:

- the “Agency Publication & Promotion Award” for the seasonal CRPR Leisure Guides.

- the “Excellence in Programming Award” for the CRPR Remembrance Tree Program. This program started in 1994 and continues to be very popular: in 2000, 31 trees were planted and in 2001, 30 trees were planted. Since the program began, a total of 159 trees have been planted in municipal parks using donations.

On December 7, The Centre County Historical Society presented the “Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation” for the adaptive use of the barn at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

The Centre Region Parks & Recreation website was voted Best Parks & Recreation website by recNparks.com.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center hosted 3,290 program visits during 2001, a 15% increase over 2000.

The Centre Region Senior Center hosted 21,572 program visits (a new record) during 2001 and served 3,870 noon-time meals.

An agreement between the State College Area School District and the Centre Regional Recreation Authority for the authority to renovate, operate, and maintain 5 school district ballfields at 3 elementary schools was approved.

2002

The agency was responsible for the ongoing maintenance and operation of 525 acres of municipal park land at 44 sites.

The agency operates a new park, Thompson Woods Preserve, located in College Township and the Borough of State College.

The agency conducted 35,222 customer transactions (including program or league registrations & sign-ups, pavilion reservations, etc.) in 2002. A total of 836 group reservation permits were issued for the 16 picnic pavilions during 2002.

Park Forest and Welch Community Swimming Pools hosted 66,451 visits (recreational, instructional, and competitive) during the 100-day summer swim season.

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center hosted 4,709 program visits during 2002, a 25% increase over attendance in 2001.

The Centre Region Senior Center served 3,486 noon-time meals and hosted 24,497 program visits during 2002.

A new fitness program, three new sports programs, and a Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Program were added in 2002. These programs include: Adult Flag Football, Rallyball Tennis, Wrestling, Pilates (Fitness), and the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Youth Fly-Fishing Day Camp.

In April, a lease agreement for Centre Regional Recreation Authority to renovate, operate, and maintain 5 school district ballfields at 3 elementary schools became effective.

On March 26, the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society presented an award to the Centre Region Senior Center for the “Award for Excellence in Programming” for the C.A.L.L. program.

In September, the agency received a $4,000 donation from the new Wegmans Food Market for the Centre Region Gifts-For-Parks program for CRPR youth sport leagues ($3,000) and youth recreation scholarships ($1,000).

The Aquatics Feasibility Study was completed and presented to the Centre Regional Recreation Authority on March 19 and presented to the COG General Forum on March 25. The study was funded in part through a grant provided by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Grant Program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Recreation and Conservation Bureau. Funding assistance was also provided by five municipalities of the Centre Region Council of Governments and by the State College Area Family YMCA.

The Centre Regional Recreation Authority (CRRA) was awarded a PA Conservation Corps grant in the amount of $85,000 for work at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center and municipal parks in cooperation with the Centre County Historical Society. The job-training program will focus on 37 identified projects at the mentioned sites. The 12-month project began in July and will involve 1 crew leader and 5 workers (age 18-25). The PA Conservation Corps will also pay for up to $20,000 of materials. This is the first time the PA Conservation Corps (operated by the state Dept. Of Labor and Industry since 1984) has awarded a grant to a municipal authority.

A pavilion, two sun shelters, and a boardwalk bridge were constructed at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

The PA Conservation Corps began construction on the Boardwalk at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center in July. Phase I of the project was completed by September.

An open house and dedication ceremony was held on June 27 at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center.

The Welch Pool and Park Forest Pool participated in National Kid’s Day on August 4 by having a “Dollar Day Admission”.

The Centre Region Council of Governments applied for a $717,275 state grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) for the purchase of two 75-acre tracts from Penn State for future use as municipal parklands. One tract is located in Ferguson Township near the intersection of Blue Course Drive & Whitehall Road. The other tract is located in College and Harris Townships at the Oak Hall interchange of the Mt. Nittany Expressway. The parklands would have been be owned by the host municipality. Due to funding limitations, the grant application was not approved for funding.

View Highlights of 2003 & 2004