SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $585,000 IN FUNDING SUPPORTING LOCAL TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION IN EAST LYME, MONTVILLE, NEW LONDON

State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed the recent announcement that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will release $585,000 in grants supporting local projects designed to plan, build, expand and improve local trails, with the intent of bolstering recreational opportunities, connecting communities and supporting public health.

Local grants include:

• Connecticut College in New London will receive $100,000 to support planning, design and outreach for community engaged accessibility planning at the Connecticut College Arboretum
• The town of East Lyme will receive $405,000 for construction, maintenance and education surrounding improvements to the Darrow Pond Trail
• The town of Montville will receive $80,000 for planning and design of the Oxoboxo Heritage Multi-Use Path and Thames River Blueway

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.

“Our local trails and outdoor recreation resources offer great support to our communities and provide members of the public with opportunities to enjoy fresh air, beautiful nature and exercise,” said Sen. Marx. “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for this support and hope local residents get out and enjoy our local trails.”

“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.”