New England East Coast Greenway growth supported by $2.8 million in state grants

Recently awarded state grants in Connecticut and Massachusetts, totaling $2.8 million, will support continued East Coast Greenway development in the New England region. 

Southern New England Manager Bruce Donald and Northern New England Manager Kristine Keeney played a key role supporting their invaluable local partners in securing these significant state funds. 

“Working alongside their state and local partners, Bruce and Kristine have done incredible work assuring sustained growth of the East Coast Greenway in New England,” National Greenway Manager Allison Burson said. “Continued investments at the state level will go a long way toward completing the East Coast Greenway and developing a continuous active and equitable transportation network in New England and beyond. This continued momentum brings the greenway in New England even closer to completion.”

Buoyed by a track record of past success by Donald and the Connecticut Greenway Council, Gov. Ned Lamont recently announced $1.3 million in Connecticut Recreational Trails Program state grants to plan, build, expand and improve eight East Coast Greenway segments, part of record support for trails all over the state.

“The incredible response to this grant round shows the high demand for outdoor recreation in our state,” Lamont said. “Our residents and visitors continue to explore state parks, forests and municipal open spaces and land trust preserves at record levels.”

Connecticut East Coast Greenway segments directly funded in 2023 include: 

• Hop River Trail Alliance signage, Coventry: $44,793

• City of Hartford, Keney Park to Bloomfield study: $186,320

• Manchester Hop River/Cheney Trail construction: $440,000

• Town of Putnam, Air Line State Park Trail improvements: $175,000

• Riverfront Recapture, Inc. Trail Counting Initiative, Hartford: $66,800

• Greenwich-Stamford Multi-Use Path design: $270,400

• 12-Town Air Line State Park Trail Regional Association formation and marketing: $37,300

• Town of Newtown, Al’s Trail Greenway Feasibility Study (Danbury Connector): $80,000

In June, Massachusetts’ Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the 2023 funding recipients of the MassTrails Grant Program. The East Coast Greenway saw five projects receive nearly $1.5 million combined, which will be supported by an additional $9.6 million in matching funds. 

“Outdoor recreation is directly tied to the economic prosperity of our state,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “By investing in our trails system, we can give our residents opportunities to get outside, commute for free, and showcase all the natural assets Massachusetts has to offer. This is how we grow our economy, cut emissions, and improve health outcomes all at the same time.”

Massachusetts East Coast Greenway segments funded in 2023 include: 

• Sudbury, Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Phase 3: $192,000 ($48,000 match)

• Waltham, Restoration of Linden Street Bridge: $500,000 ($9.3 million match)

• Wareham, Design Assistance for Wareham Pathway: $177,000 ($55,000 match)

• Sandwich, Route 130 to Canal Shared Use Path: $297,000 ($74,250 match) 

• Barnstable, Cape Cod Rail Trail - Phase 4: $300,000 ($100,000 match)

The East Coast Greenway Alliance has a sustained track record of turning every dollar donated to our nonprofit into $50 in public investment. Invest today and support the growth of the East Coast Greenway from Maine to Florida.