Vernon Gets $161K From State For Trail Construction, Maintenance

VERNON, CT — The town of Vernon has been given money from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to improve two of its trails, state officials announced on Tuesday.

Sixty-five applicants vied for funding through DEEP's Recreational Trails Grant Program, and Vernon was one of 20 applicants to be awarded grants.

The town was given $161,600, which it will use for construction and maintenance of its Rails-To-Trails and Hockanum River Trail, state officials said.

DEEP expects most of the projects to be completed by 2024.

"I am thrilled to announce funding for these 20 projects, which will improve and expand recreational trails around our state," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. "These projects are incredibly timely and will improve our state's incredible trail system, which benefits our residents and our state's outdoor economy, and makes our state such an attractive place to live."

Vernon's stretch of the Rails-To-Trails system is popular — the Connecticut Trail Census found that in 2017 it was one of the most-enjoyed trails in the state, with 113,000 visitors that year.

Read more: More Than 100K Used Vernon Rail Trail System In 2017: Report

In total, DEEP awarded $3 million in funding through the Recreational Trails Grant Program, state officials said.

Other nearby recipients include Nathan Hale Greenway Trail Development in Coventry, Air Line Trail Enhancement in Windham and work on Mansfield's Nipmuck Trail/Elementary School Connection.