New Milford Trails Project to Receive Grant Money from DEEP

NEW MILFORD, CT —The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that the first phase of the New Milford River Trail project will be one of nineteen beneficiaries of a new grants program.

DEEP will be awarding over $3 million in grants for projects to plan, design, build, expand, or enhance and improve multi-use trails and greenways across the state. The project in New Milford will be the recipient of $180,500 in grant money.

“Through our Recreational Trails program we are providing funds that will provide safe recreational opportunities for families and friends to travel throughout the state. Whether biking or walking any time of year or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter, Connecticut offers attractive year-round opportunities for people of all ages,” said DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee.

$3 million was allocated at the end of July by the state bond commission. Turned back funds from previous grant years provided the additional $173,530.50 to allow funding awards for most of the highly ranked proposals. The Connecticut Greenways Council serves as an advisory committee to DEEP for grant selection. DEEP received 73 applicants. This round was very competitive with 3 million dollars to distribute, there were over 12 million in requests. Requests from the highly ranked proposals alone totaled over 4 million dollars.

Funds received through this program may be used for locally supported trails and trail systems, bikeways and multiuse paths. Grant money can be allocated for a wide variety of purposes, including planning, design, land acquisition, construction, construction administration, and publications for bikeways, walkways, and greenways as well as for equipment and trail amenities, such as parking lots, toilet buildings, signs, and benches.

DEEP envisions most projects being completed by spring 2021.

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