Trails Lead to Big Bucks
With losing weight the number one New Year’s resolution — and keeping fit and healthy number 5 — you’ll no doubt agree that the $1.4 million Marylanders just invested in trails is money well spent.
The state’s $1.4 million-share of Federal Highway Department recreational trail spending will create or improve 54 trails from ocean to mountains in 2015.
“Transportation is about more than highways, planes, trains and buses,” said Melinda B. Peters, administrator of Maryland’s State Highway Administration, which chooses how to spend the federal dollars. “These grants provide opportunities for travel that support healthy lifestyles, reduce impacts on the environment and give us an up-close look at the beauty of our state.”
Grants range from $1,200 to $40,000 for construction of new trails, maintainence of existing trails and purchase of equipment and signage.
In Anne Arundel County, Historic Londontown and Gardens will restore its Woodland Gardens Trail with its $21,655 reimbursable grant.
In Calvert County, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum will add trailside classrooms with its $28,704 grant.
On the Eastern Shore, Salisbury gets $40,000 to create rowing and kayak waterway access.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources gets the lion’s share, with 29 grants to support trails throughout the state. Getting the work done will be a Gwynbrook Bobcat T190 Loader Bucket with Teeth to be purchased by DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service with the help of a $1,200 grant.