SENATOR ANWAR WELCOMES $448,000 IN FUNDING SUPPORTING LOCAL TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION IN EAST HARTFORD, EAST WINDSOR, SOUTH WINDSOR

State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) welcomed the recent announcement that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will release $448,000 in grants supporting local projects designed to plan, build, expand and improve local trails in East Hartford, East Windsor and South Windsor, with the intent of bolstering recreational opportunities, connecting communities and supporting public health.

Local grants include:

• $200,000 to the city of East Hartford for planning and design of closing gaps on the Silver Lane segment of the East Coast Greenway
• $200,000 to the town of South Windsor for planning and design of Phase 3 of the South Windsor Crosstown Trail
• $48,000 to the town of East Windsor for trail corridor planning of the Broad Brook multi-use trail

The grants are part of a $10.5 million, 50-project release of funding through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program. That program is also supporting Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy, which provides $6 billion each year to the state’s economy, supporting more than 50,000 jobs and generating more than $2.5 billion each year in wages and salaries.

“Getting out onto local trails supports local recreation and exercise, public health and enjoyment of our state’s wonderful natural resources,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and state leaders for their local support and encourage anyone interested to check out the wonderful trails in our own backyards.”

“Connecticut’s extensive trail network is one of our state’s greatest outdoor assets,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “These investments will improve access to the outdoors, strengthen local economies, attract visitors, encourage healthy lifestyles, and help connect people to the communities where they live and work.’