A pair of state grants totaling $300,000 will help pay to improve recreational opportunities in Pottstown and Royersford.

Over the course of three days, lawmakers have announced the grants issued by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and both grants are funded from the impact fees charged to companies drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formations throughout the state.

The first grant announced is for $100,000 to help offset the $362,250 cost of extending the development of a mile-long trail along the Schuylkill River in Royersford.

The funding will help pay for adding nearly 1,800 feet to the existing trail, and will pay for excavation, clearing, grading and construction of the trail, a rain garden, landscaping, benches, trash containers, and signs.

“Royersford Borough has made great strides to improve Riverfront Park over the years,” state Rep. Tom Quigley, R-146th Dist. said in a press release announcing the grant.

“This grant will help with that improvement and the overall revitalization of Royersford Borough,” said Quigley, a former mayor of Royersford.

In Pottstown, a $200,000 grant was approved for improvements at Memorial Park.

The grant will help pay for safety fencing, ADA-compliant playground equipment with a rubber safety surface, a nature-based play area and benches, tables and barbecue grills for a family picnic area.

The grant will also help to pay for 30 new parking places adjacent to the picnic area, playground and Fountain of Youth splash park.

“With the increased growth of tourist destinations like the Colebrookdale Railroad in Pottstown, it is important to invest in the maintenance and refurbishment of our parks and trails,” Quigley said in a press release.

“Parking specifically is an issue at a number of parks so the addition of 30 spaces has tremendous value,” he said.