CANTON — Town Administrator Charles Doody is pleased to share that the Town of Canton has received a $48,000 grant from the MassTrails grant program, funded by the Healey-Driscoll administration.
The administration has announced $12 million in funding to support 65 trail improvement projects across Massachusetts.
The MassTrails grant program expands and links the state’s networks of off-road, shared-use pathways and recreational trails through matching grants, technical assistance and resources available to municipalities, nonprofits and other public entities.
The $48,000 will be used to conduct a Shared-Use Path Feasibility Study for the Mary E. Wentworth Recreational Facility.The study will assess the feasibility of constructing a multimodal, shared-use path at the facility. The initial concept includes more than 1.2 miles of accessible elevated boardwalk woven into the landscape and along the water’s edge on helical pilings. The study, which will accompany a larger Master Plan for the Wentworth Recreational Facility which is being funded by the Community Preservation Act, will also include an assessment of needs for crosswalks and parking lots at each trailhead.
“We thank the Healey-Driscoll administration for providing us the funding to research the expansion of our recreational spaces in Canton,” Town Planner Taylor Torres said. “Making our extensive trails more accessible for all individuals to enjoy remains a priority for our town, and we look forward to implementing this phase of our Master Plan.”
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo and municipal elected officials gathered in downtown Holliston on June 21 to announce the grants, which will bolster community and recreational trail networks — supporting the creation of new multi-use trails, enhancing accessibility, establishing connections between cities and towns, constructing boardwalks and bridges, implementing signage and expanding trail corridors across the state.
“With increased access to outdoor recreation, we are enabling our residents to immerse themselves in nature and choose sustainable transportation options,” said Gov. Maura Healey in a statement.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in a statement that the MassTrails program “enhances connectivity and invites exploration and appreciation of the diverse resources that define Massachusetts.” Tepper said each mile of trail “represents a step toward reducing our carbon footprint and preserving our natural resources.”
MassTrails funds support recreational trails accommodating a wide range of activities, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, paddling, snowmobiling and recreational off-highway vehicle riding.
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