Vermont awards $531,119 in Recreation Trail Program grants

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation has announced that 19 trail projects across the state will be receiving $531,119 from Vermont’s Recreation Trails Program (RTP).
Vermont’s RTP is a matching grant program of the Federal Highway Administration for the acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of trails, trailhead facilities, trailside amenities, and trail-related educational projects for non-motorized, motorized, and multiple compatible recreational use.
“RTP funds provide enjoyable opportunities with trails close to home, close to schools, in our parks, in our forests, and on our mountains,” says Sherry Winnie, Vermont’s RTP Administrator, “Vermont’s trails and trail systems connect people to places, promote healthy active living, and conserve the natural landscape of Vermont we love.”
RTP funds have been authorized through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users (SAFETEA-LU), and are appropriated to States through the state transportation departments and natural resource agencies in cooperation with citizen advisory committees and a network of organizations and communities.
The 19 communities and non-profit organizations being funded for project work include:
Project Sponsor / Trail Work RTP Award
Vermont Association of Snow Travelers $291,932Winter trail maintenance/winter grooming;
Vermont ATV Sportsmens Association $5,570 ATV educational safety courses;
Cross Vermont Trail Association $19,672Wells River Cross Vermont trail bridge;
Town of Stowe $20,000Adams Camp trail construction accommodating mountain biking
Kingdom Trails Association $10,000Nordic ski system rehabilitation accommodating nordic, cross-country classic, & skate skiing
Moosalamoo Association $17,292Trail reconstruction on Horseshoe trail, Sucker Brook trail, Moosalamoo ski trail, & connector trail from Voter Brook Overlook to Moosalamoo Campground.
Local Motion $19,599Expansion of Trail Finder in Franklin & Lamoille Counties
City of Rutland $7,755Pine Hill Trail maintenance/upgrades & trail tools
Northwoods Stewardship Center $7885Echo Lake shore trail construction, trailhead parking area & connector trail.
Cross Vermont Trail Association $20,0001/mile section of new non-motorized multi-use universally accessbile trail along Winooski River
Northern Forest Canoe Trail $13,388Richford comprehensive river access trail, kiosk & trailside amenities for water-based trail users
Nature Conservancy $20,000Black Mountain Trail restoration
Town of Williston $19,725Hill Trail Construction
Town of Sharon $17,000Improve trail access with new 1-mile trail section for the Sharon-Royalton Community Trail.
Mad River Path Association $18,671Clay Brook Footbridge
Vermont Trails & Greenways Council $5,000Development of trail-related educational materials for trail users, trail groups & the public.
Catamount Trail Association $3,570Development & installation of trailhead signs for 20 of 31 sections of the Catamount Trail.
Vermont River Conservancy $5,000Upgrades to Guidhall portage & access trail with signage at parking lot.
Millstone Trails Association $9,060Construction & installation of interpretive signage
Source: VT FPR. 6.3.2010
-30-