Haverhill, Newburyport awarded state recreational grants

July 20, 2010 - Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen) is pleased to announce the cities of Haverhill and Newburyport have received a Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) grant to fund trail projects under its Recreational Trails Grants Program. The DCR program is part of the national Recreational Trails Program funded by the Federal Highway Administration.

 

Haverhill - Merrimack River Trail Development Project - $15,700

The project will engage trail advocates, municipal officials, and community leaders in 15 communities in a strategic process focused on developing one of the state's most outstanding recreational assets - a 30-mile long bicycle and pedestrian trail.

 

Newburyport - Clipper City Rail Trail Enhancement Project - $31,553

The proposed Clipper City Rail Trail Enhancement Project will make this new rail trail substantially more attractive, functional, and welcoming to the public.

 

“These improvement projects will ensure that the Merrimack Valley will continue to be a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and experiences,” said Senator Baddour.  “I have been a long-time champion of rail trails throughout the district because they greatly enhance the quality of life in communities across the state.  These funds will create new trails for families to enjoy for generations to come."

 

Recreational Trails Grants are awarded for the construction and stewardship of hiking trails, bikeways, snowmobile trails, and an array of other trails throughout the state. This can include improvements to long-distance trails and rail trail development, ATV trail maintenance, and creation or maintenance of municipal trails. Each recipient matches its grant with at least an additional 20 percent in funding or in-kind services.

  

Since 1993, DCR has awarded more than $5 million in Recreational Trails Grants in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board. The federal funds are distributed to individual states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses.

 

For more information on the Recreational Trails Program or the statewide greenway plan, contact Amanda Lewis, DCR’s Recreational Trails Program Coordinator, at 413-586-8706, ext. 19, or at amanda.lewis@state.ma.us.

 

 

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