RTP Approves Grant for Village Bike-Ped Trail

Gray Town Manager Deborah Cabana received word earlier this month that the town has been awarded a $31,088 grant from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). This is federal money that comes through the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. While Gray won’t receive the check until later this spring, the award letter was welcomed by the Gray Bike-Ped Committee, which had sought the funding. “This is a very competitive process and there are always more requests than there is money available,” says Anne Gass, Bike-Ped Committee Chair. “But our request was supported by the Gray Bike-Ped Plan (completed in June 2014), we did a good job putting together the application, and honestly, we have a great concept!”

The Bike-Ped Committee plans to use the RTP funds to construct portions of the Village Area Loop Trail, which is intended to help people walk or bike around the village area off-road as much as possible. The links to be constructed are on town-owned land behind Pennell and Newbegin, and along the top of the cemetery. Another link will improve the path from the northeasterly corner of the Gray Plaza through the woods to Hancock St. 

Gass notes that the Committee’s long term plan is to connect the village loop to trails throughout the town. But this grant is just focused on the village; the hope is to complete all the work and install new trail signage during this construction season.

If you’re interested in lending a hand to this effort, or have other bike-ped related ideas, the Bike-Ped Committee meets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6pm in the downstairs of the Gray Library. Feel free to call Anne Gass at 657-4935 or Dean Bennett at 657-2323 for more information.  

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