SOUTHWICK – The Park and Recreation Committee is looking to apply for a grant to help repair the Southwick Rail Trail.
Through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Trail Grant is an inter-agency initiative that gives communities resources, guidance, and matching grants aiding communities in the design, creation, and maintenance of trails. The grant usually ranges between $10,000 to $100,000, while some projects could receive grants up to $300,000.
Numerous areas on the Southwick Rail Trail have tree root damage that needs to be improved upon. (WNG File Photo)
The Mass Trails grant requires that the communities match 20 percent of the total project cost, projects with higher matching commitments would be given even better consideration from the state.
According to Cara Cartello, a member of the Park and Recreation Committee, there is an extensive amount of tree root damage throughout the rail trail, with 11 tree roots needing to be removed. The quote from the contractor, Lane Construction, indicated that they don’t have a set quote at this time due to not knowing what to expect with the roots once the ground opens up in the spring.
However, Lane Construction did present a quote to the Park and Recreation Committee, which is the worse-case scenario at $29, 325.00. That quote would include excavating the existing pavement and the sub-base, trim the root systems, and furnish and install hot mix asphalt.
Cartello added that some of the tree root damage on the rail trail is north of Route 57 on Feeding Hills Rd. and also near the Depot Street area.
The Mass Trails Grant program applications were available in November and the deadline for municipalities to apply is February 1.
More information on the Mass Trails Program and this opportunity will be revealed once the Park and Recreation Committee provides more information.
