PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 21, 2014 – The nation’s oldest, private psychiatric hospital will be able to preserve a tract of land near Tacony Park, thanks to a $ 150,000 state grant secured today by state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione.

The Natural Lands Trust will use the money from the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program to preserve the property around Friends Hospital.

That tract includes a trail that is part of the Fairmount Park System.

“This important investment will help the trust place a conservation easement on this historic piece of land so that it, and the trail, continue as a great place for people to get outside, be healthy and enjoy nature,” Tartaglione said. “It will also help to build a new trail on the other side of Tacony Creek.”

Friends Hospital was founded by the Quakers in 1813 with the mission of treating “every person … with dignity, respect and equality.”

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is an independent agency of the commonwealth that is designed to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments.

CFA’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 14 in Harrisburg.

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