Maine awards $7.5 million to boost trails statewide
Maine awarded the first round of funding for a new statewide trail support program that voters backed in late 2024.
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced Dec. 11 that $7.5 million was awarded for projects that will improve trails for hiking, walking, snowmobile riding and more. The 44 projects that will receive the funding are spread throughout nearly all of Maine's counties.
The money comes from Maine Trails Program grants, which support the design, construction, and rehabilitation of trails throughout the state for outdoor recreation and active transportation. In November 2024, Maine voters approved a $30 million bond to support the program.
"The Maine Trails Program is a once-in-a-generation investment in the places where we live, work, and recreate," said Amanda Beal, commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. "These first-round awards reflect the incredible commitment of our communities to building trails that welcome everyone, whether they walk, ride, paddle, ski, or snowmobile."
The department received more than 100 applications for the first round of funding. From those that were approved, there will be 25 new trails constructed and more than a dozen projects to improve accessibility. Eight of the awarded grants will focus on snowmobile use and five will cater to ATV usage.
This was the first of four rounds of annual grants for the Maine Trails Program. Applications for the second round are expected to be due next June.
"The combined power of this statewide commitment and MTP's strategic investment will protect and enhance our state's vital recreational infrastructure, making it more resilient and cost-effective for years to come," said Leigh Hallett, director of the Maine Trails Coalition, in a news release.
This story was first published by Maine Morning Star and is republished here under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine awards $7.5 million to boost trails statewide
