DEEP Requests Proposals for Recreational Trails Grants

Press Releases 09/23/2025 DEEP Requests Proposals for Recreational Trails Grants Informational Webinar on October 16 & Applications due December 18 (HARTFORD, CT) - The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now accepting proposals for the State's Recreational Trails Grant Program. The grants awarded will be funded by a potential allocation of state bond funds in fiscal year 2026, authorized by CGS 23-103, as amended by PA 25-174, and may be limited by the actual amount allocated. An informational webinar will be offered October 16, and applications will be accepted through December 18, 2025. Connecticut's trail infrastructure has seen significant usage since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant program aims to support communities with planning, design, enhancement, and connectivity to the trail resources connecting residents and visitors across the State of Connecticut to our open spaces and greenways. Nonprofit organizations, municipalities, state agencies, and tribal governments may apply. "Every community in Connecticut, whether rural, urban, or suburban, deserves safe and equitable access to our trails and greenways, connecting residents and visitors alike to the outdoors," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "The pandemic spurred many people to discover and rediscover their love for the outdoors, interest that we've seen continue in our State Parks and Forests. Recreational Trails Grants bolster existing trails, and develop new ones, helping to connect residents and communities to nature." DEEP will hold an informational webinar on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., to provide an overview of the CT Recreational Trails Grant program and application. Register for the webinar here. Administered in coordination with the Connecticut Greenways Council, the Recreational Trails Grant Program is guided by evaluation criteria that prioritize: Connectivity to underserved and Environmental Justice (EJ) communities Consistency with local and regional trail plans ADA accessibility improvements Community engagement in project design Location within or serving distressed municipalities, as defined by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) under CGS § 32-9p Connecticut's last round of Recreational Trails Grants awarded $10 million to forty-five projects aimed at planning, building, expanding, and improving multi-use trails across the state. Those grants were selected by the Connecticut Greenways Council from among more than 100 applications and awarded amounts that ranged from $7,270 to $494,000. Examples of the various projects selected included: Creation of ADA Trails and Other Public Access in the Little River Preserve in Hampton Windham Air Line Trail and Willimantic River Blueway Enhancements in Windham Weed Avenue Multi-Use Trail Design in Stamford Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program funds may be requested for uses including: Planning and design of trails Construction of new trails (motorized and non-motorized) Maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trails (motorized and non-motorized) Access to trails by persons with disabilities Purchase and lease of trail construction and maintenance equipment Acquisition of land or easements for a trail, or for trail corridors Operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection as related to recreational trails Visit DEEP Connecticut Recreational Trails Funding for details and applications. For further information, contact Kimberly Bradley, DEEP Recreational Trails & Greenways Program, at [email protected] or 860-424-3938. Twitter: @CTDEEPNews Facebook: DEEP on Facebook Contact DEEP Communications [email protected] 860-424-3110 Twitter Facebook Email Print