News
$49,300 in Greenways Grants
By Governor Rell's office
Apr 26, 2008 - 10:30:49 PM

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced grants totaling $49,300 from the state’s first ever Greenways Small Grants Program for 10 projects that will provide recreation opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts throughout Connecticut . The greenway projects receiving grants connect a number of towns throughout the state including Farmington , Southington , Stamford , Greenwich , Colchester , Willimantic, Windham , Norwich , Enfield , Thompson, Thomaston, and Watertown .

“We have placed a great deal of emphasis on getting families and young people outside and greenways provide perfect places for families to do this,” Governor Rell said. “These beautiful linear open spaces protect natural resources and provide important access to the outdoors for recreation or non-motorized transportation for families of all ages.

“Where you find a greenway, you’ll often find people enjoying nature. Whether walking, biking, horseback riding or cross-country skiing, there is something for everyone on Connecticut ’s greenways.”

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) administers the grant program which provides reimbursement grants for greenway planning, design and trail guides, maps, signs or other educational materials to non-profit organizations, municipalities and regional planning organizations.

Since the program was announced last fall, the DEP received 33 proposed greenways projects. After review by DEP staff and the Governor’s Greenway Council, ten projects were recommended for awards.

Examples of the projects receiving funding for this year include:

Writing and design of a workbook that will assist municipalities and nonprofit groups with planning for greenways and working at a regional scale to create linkages

Development of informational and educational brochures and trail signage

Development of a trail system
Creation of a “vision map” indicating what the community would like to see in the future of their greenways

Special recognition of these projects will be made at the Annual Greenways Awards Event scheduled for Friday, June 6 at 2:30 p.m. at Valley Falls Park , Vernon .

DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy added, “Greenways enrich our lives. They make it easier for us all to get outside and see our communities from a new perspective. By purchasing a greenways license plate you show your support for this important program.”

The Greenways Small Grants Program was created to provide funding for projects that would otherwise lack a funding source and to compliment the National Recreational Trails Grant Program. Connecticut residents can show their support for future projects by purchasing a Greenways license plate at their local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Since 1999, more than 1,800 license plates have been sold, raising more than $77,135 for projects benefiting Greenways.

To learn more about the program or to purchase a license plate, visit either the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep under Outdoor Recreation and select Greenways (right menu) and then Greenways License Plate (left menu.) or visit: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2707&q=323860&depNav_GID=1704&depNav=| or the DMV’s website: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=811&Q=245152&dmvPNavCtr=|30260|30261|#30267

2008 Greenways Grant Recipients

Mianus River Watershed Council – $5,000

Greenwich and Stamford , Port Chester , Rye and Rye Brook , NY .

The Mianus River provides a source of drinking water for over 100,000 people. Mianus River Greenway Additions - Inventory of lands that can expand the existing Mianus River Greenway will be shared with land protection organizations. Preservation alternatives information and management practices will be sent to appropriate land owners.

Green Valley Institute (GVI) - $4,800

Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Coventry, Eastford, Franklin, Griswold, Hampton, Killingly, Lebanon, Lisbon, Mansfield, Norwich, Plainfield, Pomfret, Preston, Putnam, Scotland, Sprague, Sterling, Thompson, Union, Voluntown,

Windham and Woodstock

Green Valley Connections - To develop and design of a workbook which will assist municipalities and nonprofit groups with planning for greenways and working at a regional scale to create linkages.

Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor, Inc. (associated with GVI) - $4,750

Green Valley Connections - Development of an interactive website and printing and distribution of project workbooks to municipal land use decision makers, land trusts, trail organizations and regional planning agencies.

Willimantic White Water Inc. - $5,000

Willimantic , Lebanon , Columbia

Willimantic River Greenway signage and website - Further develop / complete informational-educational brochure, Update / revise / complete Website, develop one large sign for the Kiosk at the Bridge Street property, Bridge Street Park Kiosk improvements, print small trail marker signs

Scantic River Watershed Association - $5,000

Enfield Scantic River Greenway design, signage and maps from the Town of Somers to the Town of Enfield .

Colchester - $5,000

Sherman Brook Greenway & Trails - Develop a trail system on town open space that will connect with the high school and feature natural resource signage.

Central CT Regional Planning Agency - $5,000

Plainville , Southington , Farmington

Farmington Canal Greenway Plan for Southington - Development of the preferred and logical routing of this section of the Greenway through the northern part of Southington and all of Plainville .

Thompson - $4,750

Five Mile River Watershed - Inventory properties, water quality, biological, scenic and historic resources, GIS map, brochure.

Thomaston - $5,000

Naugatuck River Greenway Charrette - Create a Vision Map showing what townspeople would like to accomplish. The Vision Map will be posted on the town website and distributed townwide as a postcard to kick off Fall trails events called Thomaston Walks!

Watertown - $5,000

Steel Brook Greenway - Develop a schematic plan, assess options to incorporate bicycle traffic, and a bridge crossing to provide access to French Street .

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