Key Open Space Partner: Diane Kripas of PA DCNR

Introduction
Diane Kripas just hit 30 years with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. She’s had many roles with the Bureau. She served as a regional recreation advisor, worked with county planners to develop their first greenway and trail plans, created the Bureau’s peer and circuit rider programs, and in recent years led the development and implementation of Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Recreation Plan. Currently, she is the Division Chief for the Bureau’s Partnership Division, where her motto is, “We never work alone.” Her division supports programs that cross boundaries: heritage areas, conservation landscapes, rivers conservation, trails and greenways, and regional recreation initiatives. Diane is a graduate of Hood College and Temple University and volunteers as Events Chair for the Capital Area Greenbelt Association. 

How is planning important in the field of parks and recreation?
In 1988 when I started with the Bureau, our storage room shelves were filled with parks and recreation plans, likely the first plan for most municipalities. The Bureau has encouraged and supported planning for over 50 years. The early plans were often general.  In the 1990s, when railroads were abandoning rights-of-way, we began funding rail trail feasibility studies. Rail trails were a new type of trail, fraught with ownership complexities, connected by bridges requiring costly rehab, and often faced with opposition from neighbors. Nevertheless, almost all of Pennsylvania’s 2,000 miles of rail trails started with a plan.

In the 2000s, “greenways” was another new concept. We spent years explaining the concept of a greenway. Until, with the support of county planners, DCNR helped develop county greenway and open space plans in 65 counties. I haven’t been asked, “what is a greenway” in years. A plan helps educate on new ideas, and with public input, builds support and provides a roadmap on implementation.

I also advocate that if everything is a priority, nothing is. A plan helps prioritize capital projects and prepare for new trends like pickleball, loop trails, and nature play areas. Today’s planning is more specialized, and DCNR encourages wider public input and a focus on access for all.

What is a project you have worked on of which you are particularly proud?
I am most proud of developing a ½ mile trail spur that connects the Capital Area Greenbelt to my neighborhood. I live in the closest neighborhood to Susquehanna Township’s largest community park, which was only accessible by car for decades.  It took over 20 years to get a trail easement and work with the Township to build the trail connection. The landowner was elderly and lived in a care facility out of state.  When she passed away, the Township was finally able to negotiate an easement with her estate, applied for and received $50,000 in County gaming funds, and constructed the trail with Greenbelt volunteers. Now, my family and neighbors have safe, easy access to the 20-mile Greenbelt. You will find me there either walking, biking, or birding in my free time. I have cared for 20 blue boxes along the Greenbelt for a decade and am the proud mom of over 300 bluebirds.

Can you describe a typical workday in your position?
Summer is DCNR’s grant decision time. My staff review trail, river conservation, and partnership applications. In all, we discuss 150 projects and distribute about $17 million in grant funds.  Every project is reviewed and scored by two staff and vetted through an extensive decision-making process. I also coordinate the implementation of the 2020 Recreation Plan, so there are lots of committee and sub-committee meetings.

What are the current trends you see in Parks and Recreation?

• Access to a great park within a 10-minute walk for all: We have a new 2020-2024 PA Outdoor Recreation Plan that casts a vision for Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation: Enjoyable outdoor recreation is welcoming to all and accessible in every Pennsylvania community. Pennsylvania communities have built extensive park systems – over 6,100 local parks –, but less than half of Pennsylvanians can safely walk to a park within 10 minutes of home. We need to do more to ensure that all Pennsylvanians, regardless of race, age, ability, or any other trait, have access to and feel welcome at Pennsylvania’s public lands.
• Bring trails home: One comment summed up public input for the Recreation Plan: “increase the distance and number of walking, biking, and running trails connecting communities so outdoor recreation can be an integral part of daily life.” We need to continue efforts to make it easier for people to make healthy choices – walk to the trail vs. having to drive. Developing community/regional trail systems will continue to be a high priority for recreation facility investment over the next five years.
• Rise of water-based recreation: In the Recreation Plan, public survey respondents were asked to provide one outdoor recreation activity they currently do not do but would like to try. The most common response was kayaking. The PA Fish and Boat Commission reported a 34% increase in the sale of boat launch permits in 2020. DCNR and the Commission are working on a new water access plan for Pennsylvania. We encourage communities to look for opportunities to connect residents to local waterways.
• Using parks to adapt to climate change: More parks and green spaces are being designed to meet recreation needs and help manage stormwater through riparian buffers, rain gardens, and shade trees.