Of all places to announce the largest infusion of money in decades for state parks and forests, Gov. Josh Shapiro and state officials decided Thursday to visit Connellsville in Fayette County.

With a population of about 7,000, this busy small town in the Laurel Highlands has a hotel and loads of amenities. The attraction: the outdoors, specifically the 150-mile-long Great Allegheny Passage that runs along the Youghiogheny River.

More than 100,000 cyclists pass through each year, and Connellsville’s economy has grown in tandem with them.

This is what the state would like to see happen to more towns.

“Pennsylvania is full of great parks and outdoor places like this,” Mr. Shapiro said.

“But we wanted to be specifically in Connellsville because this is a great example of how it all comes together, how outdoor recreation can lift up a community, can create jobs and economic opportunity. It’s also just fun.”

The state budgeted $112 million in fiscal 2023-24 to improve state parks with a hefty backlog of maintenance, and to spark economic development in the outdoor recreation sector.

“It’s our public lands and trails that are the backbone that supports our outdoor recreation economy,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Ms. Dunn was among a bevy of guests and speakers Thursday at Yough River Park in Connellsville that also included Rick Siger with the state Department of Community and Economic Development; Fayette County Commissioners Dave Lohr, Scott Dunn and Vince Vicites; Connellsville Mayor Greg Lincoln; and Outdoor Recreation Roundtable President Jessica Wahl Turner.

Mr. Shapiro added that when he travels throughout the state with his family, he asks Ms. Dunn to pick a trail or park for them to visit. Thanks to her choices for outdoor recreation, he fondly calls her “Fun Dunn.”

Having the secretaries of DCNR and DCED on hand illustrates their collaboration to grow outdoor recreation and business development, Mr. Shapiro said.

“We understand a critically important way to create jobs, to grow the economy, is to make sure to marry up outdoor recreation with the work DCED does,” he said. “We’re tearing down the silos and stovepipes in state government that stop progress.”

Money in the state budget for parks and related economic development will also boost the new state Office of Outdoor Recreation, headed by Nathan Reigner.

Outdoor recreation added $14 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2021 and accounted for 152,000 jobs and 1.6% of the state’s total economic productivity, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

State and local officials would like to see more than that — much more.

“Outdoor recreation is more than a nice day outside with family and friends,” Mr. Reigner said.

Among the businesses supporting outdoor enthusiasts are hotels, campsites, restaurants, markets and outfitters. Additionally, regional businesses are designing and manufacturing outdoor equipment, Mr. Reigner said.

“We need to connect our businesses and communities,” he said.

The director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation doesn’t want to just increase the numbers of visitors to outdoor destinations, he wants to entice people to move here from other states.

“Our outdoor recreation is high-quality, free and accessible. Our cost of living is low and our traffic is minimal,” Mr. Reigner said. “Pennsylvania is a great place to live and start a business.”

Mr. Lincoln, Connellsville’s mayor, agreed and said his town continues its efforts to attract more visitors, businesses and residents.

“It’s the greatest thing,” he said at the news conference Thursday. “The governor could have gone anywhere in the state.”

The city caters to cyclists on the GAP trail with a hotel, campsites, bike stations, Wi-Fi, phone chargers, repair shops and many other businesses.

“Our goal is to make Connellsville a destination,” Mr. Lincoln said. “If you are visiting the Laurel Highlands, you should know that our hotel rates are cheaper than the resorts.”

The city is working to rehab an old railroad bridge that would connect the GAP to other trails. Mr. Lincoln expects the number of cyclists to only grow, especially with the popularity of electric bikes.

He said the governor and other state officials will now be more familiar with the town that is trying to become the “Breezewood of Trails.”

Mary Ann Thomas: mthomas@post-gazette.com.

First Published: August 31, 2023, 11:24 p.m.
Updated: September 1, 2023, 11:32 a.m.