A family bikes on Cross Vermont Trail near the village of Groton. (photo by CVTA)
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation announced on Monday March 28 the award of nearly 5 million dollars in funding to 24 outdoor recreation projects statewide including three - in Groton, Cabot and Montpelier - that will help extend the Cross Vermont Trail network.
Cross Vermont Trail Association (CVTA) Board Chair Mike Thomas, from Wells River, was quick to offer congratulations: "This is what the Cross Vermont Trail Association calls a success story, when neighboring communities each buy in to the larger dream of a connected four season multi use path across their respective boundaries, from Lake Champlain to the Connecticut." CVTA supported each community's application, and is looking forward to working with them as the work is done.
These grants are a part of the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC). VOREC is a State program, guided by a steering committee made up of Vermont businesses and non-profits including outdoor manufacturers, retailers, brand representatives, trail and user groups. The goal of VOREC is to support recreation in natural settings in order to help maintain a healthy outdoor economy that invites visitors to our State, while also promoting a good quality of life for residents.
The three grants are:
Town of Groton: "Gateway Project", upgrading the Cross Vermont Trail that connects from the Village to Groton State Forest and to Pine Mountain wildlife area. Also securing new public greenspace along the Wells River, building new parking lot near the Village and improving signage town wide along the trail.
Town of Cabot: Building connections between the Village of Cabot, the Town’s four-season trail network, the Cross Vermont Trail and the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
City of Montpelier: Strengthening downtown connection to existing outdoor recreation assets through the construction of two connector trails, tieing together with Cross Vermont Trail projects now underway in neighboring East Montpelier.
Michael Nahmias from the Town of Groton Planning Commission accepted the grant award from Governor Scott on Monday. "The village of Groton is a natural trailhead to explore this great area" said Nahmias. "We can't wait to get started on the Gateway Project and cleanly tie our village center via the upgraded Cross Vermont Trail to the state forest lands and beyond."
The Cross Vermont Trail Association is a statewide, member based non-profit that works by collaborating with landowners, community groups and local governments. We help to foster regional trail networks with the Cross Vermont Trail as the connection among them, with the ultimate goal of a multi-use trail across Vermont through the Winooski and Wells River Valleys between Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River. CVTA's vision is public recreation that is inviting and accessible; safe off-road travel to desired destinations; convenient locations for healthy activity; and a permanent greenway for enjoyment of the natural world. More information including trail maps at https://crossvermont.org/.
Governor Scott awards a major grant to Town of Groton "Gateway Project" committee members Michael Gaiss and Michael Nahmias.
