Apply Now for Recreational Trail Grants From DEEP

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is now accepting proposals for Connecticut’s National Recreational Trails Program Grants. Applications will be accepted through March 29. Grants may be made to any private nonprofit organizations, municipalities, state departments and tribal governments. Grant amounts vary. 

The National Recreational Trails Program is an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. RTP is administered through the DEEP. Recreational Trails Program funds may be used for:

• Construction of new trails (motorized and non-motorized).
• Maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trails (motorized and non-motorized).
• Access to trails by persons with disabilities.
• Purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment.
• Acquisition of land or easements for a trail, or for trail corridors.
• Operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection as related to recreational trails.

Highlights of previous grant recipients include:

In 2007, Middletown received a $50,000 grant to complete the North End Peninsula Hiking Trail & Car-Top Boat Launch. This project offered the city's best and perhaps only possible point of public access to the Mattabesset and Coginchaug Rivers. Construction of the hiking trail (length of trail 1.38 mile on the landfill mound) and car-top boat launch provides both physical and visual access to the North End Peninsula ecosystems, creating a hiking trail and a car-top boat launch.

Waterbury Development Corporation, received $80,000 to allow for a series of improvements to the Chase Bridge resulting in it becoming accessible and functional to all users. This is a first step for the Naugatuck River Greenway in Waterbury.

The Last GreenValley, was awarded $87,100 to design a network of easily-accessible water trails that will provide family-friendly recreation close to home for the 300,000 residents of The Last Green Valley.

The Town of Oxford, received $77,000 for the Rockhouse Hill Sanctuary to enhance and create nearly 3 miles of new trails, additional parking spaces, and bridges -  including a horse bridge.

Visit www.ct.gov/dep/rectrails for details and applications.