Hopkinton Campus Trail Connector Project Gets $111K Grant

HOPKINTON, MA — Hopkinton's Upper Charles Trail Committee was awarded $111,564 for work on the Campus Trail Connector Project. The project is one of 55 in the state to receive a MassTrails Grant this year.

Grant funding was announced on Friday by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The project is a proposed 2,750-foot shared use path connecting the Hopkinton High School,
Middle School, and the new Marathon Elementary School. The Campus Trail Connector, when combined with adjacent existing and proposed facilities, will allow students, runners, cyclists and others to easily pass between the three schools, as well as the downtown area. The trail covers a total distance of 2.1 miles.

While this is a stand-alone project, the Campus Trail Connector is a critical link to expand the existing Upper Charles Trail network which will include a continuous 8-mile shared use path through Hopkinton from Milford to Ashland.

Hopkinton's Upper Charles Trail Committee is also adding $87,663 of its own funding to the project. Each town or organization receiving a MassTrails grant must match awarded grants with a minimum of twenty percent in funding or in-kind services for the designated project.

Funding is offered to towns as well as registered non-profits and municipal, state, and federal agencies.

Funding for MassTrails grants comes from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's capital budget, and from the motor fuel excise tax on off-road vehicles including ATV's and snowmobiles.

"Massachusetts has an extensive network of public trails connecting communities and regions while offering excellent recreational opportunities," said Governor Charlie Baker. "By supporting local trail projects, our Administration is dedicated to building on that network and ensuring residents and visitors can hike, bike and run on safe, well-maintained and accessible trails."