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About Barrett Township, Mount Pocono Borough, and Paradise Township completed their Open Space and Recreation Plan in August 2000. The Monroe County Open Space Bond and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) funded this plan. During the summer of 2002 three properties were jointly purchased for active and passive recreation through the Monroe County Open Space Bond and the DCNR along with business, community and municipal support. The communities then applied for and received a grant for a master site plan for one property. As work on the master site plan was progressing the three municipalities recognized the need for an organization to continue with the development and operation of the “Regional Parks”. A study committee including members from the three municipalities was formed and met for over one year. An Intergovernmental Agreement of Cooperation among Paradise Township, Barrett Township, and the Borough of Mount Pocono established the Pocono Area Recreation Commission in April of 2004. PARC is responsible for developing and maintaining the three parks. A DCNR grant was applied for and received in 2005 to pay the first year salary of a park director to oversee the project. |