MD Rahman

SENATOR RAHMAN VOTES TO INCREASE PROTECTIONS AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Today, State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester) welcomed the planned release of $440,000 to support construction of the Hop River Trail’s extension to the Cheney Trail. The funds will be used to create a 1.05-mile trail connecting the existing trails to provide pedestrians and bicyclists a safe, off-road route for recreation and transportation.

This project was included in the announcement that Governor Lamont’s administration and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will release $9 million in state grants through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Program to support trail planning, building, expansion and improvement in 50 locations across Connecticut.

“We have such beautiful, well-loved trails in Manchester and I’m excited that they’ll be joined together as the result of this grant funding,” said Sen. Rahman. “I’m grateful to the Governor’s administration and DEEP for their support of local recreation. Hiking, biking or walking our local trails is great for mental and physical health and I’m excited that folks won’t have to travel far to attain those benefits.”

“I am thrilled to announce funding for this project, which will improve and expand recreational trail opportunities around Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “The incredible response to this grant round shows the high demand for outdoor recreation in our state. Our residents and visitors continue to explore state parks, forests, and municipal open spaces and land trust preserves at record levels.”

These grant awards are partially a response to demand for outdoor recreation increasing dramatically since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. In 2022, 17 million people visited locations in the Connecticut State Parks and Forests system, up 75% from levels of 9-10 million in 2019. Outdoor recreation contributed nearly $4 billion to Connecticut in 2021 and supported more than 40,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Most projects receiving financial support are expected to be complete by 2026.