R.I. projects receive $1.5M in trail grants

PROVIDENCE – The state has awarded 28 projects a total of $1,524,725 in recreational trail grants from federal transportation funds.
According to a news release, grants from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, R.I. Department of Transportation and the R.I. Trails Advisory Committee will support trail development and improvement projects.
Communities and nonprofit organizations receiving the grant money include Appalachian Mountain Club, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Barrington, Blackstone Park Conservancy, Blackstone River Watershed Council, Borders Farm Preservation Inc., Burrillville, Coventry, Cumberland, Glocester Land Trust, Hopkinton Land Trust, Jamestown, Johnston Historical Society, Newport, Norman Bird Sanctuary, North Kingstown, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Pawtuxet River Authority, Smithfield, The Nature Conservancy, Tiverton Open Space Commission, Warren, Warwick and Westerly Land Trust.
The grants draw upon federal funds made available under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. The grants may be used to create new recreational trails, as well as restore and improve existing recreational trails, for both hikers and other trail users. The grants may also be used for trail construction and maintenance equipment such as tractors, lawnmowers, chainsaws and brush cutters. The grants provide 80 percent of the cost, up to $100,000, for projects. •