SOUTHWICK – During this week’s Select Board meeting, officials were presented with the potential of applying for an RTP (Recreational Trails Program) grant for the Rising Corner Trail on South Longyard Road in Southwick.
Dennis Clark of the Southwick Conservation Commission and Bridget Likely, who is the Coordinator of the Appalachian Mountain Club, talked about the grant being used to make the trail parking area and trail to the floating bridge, ADA (American with Disabilities Act) accessible.
The Select Board discussed a trails grant application at their latest meeting. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
At a meeting on January 30, the Select Board had an action item on their agenda to support the grant application, but they were skeptical about making that decision. All three members of the board agreed to have Likely and Clark in so they could get some clarity on their issues.
On Tuesday, Likely informed them that if someone was to get hurt walking on the Rising Corner Trail or the floating boardwalk, the town wouldn’t be held liable, since it’s a public trail that is free to the community. The Select Board voiced concerns about the status of the floating boardwalk bridge that is a part of the Rising Corner Trail, however, Likely said the main issue with the bridge is that the poles to stabilize it aren’t deep enough. Likely said that the plan is to drive the poles in deeper.
According to Likely, AMC is requesting a total of $43,000 for the grant, with $10,000 of that being matched by volunteers of the AMC. A recreational trails program grant, it’s overseen by the Massachusetts DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation), and they handle the selection process. If the AMC gets their grant application approved, the funds won’t be ready until 2019. Likely said that she expects to hear the result by April or May.
Likely is pleased that the AMC has decided to go through with a grant application for the Rising Corner Trail.
“We see Southwick as really the entry way for the New England national scenic trail in Mass,” said Likely. “We think it’s a perfect place.”
At the end of the discussion, the Select Board made a motion and all were in favor of supporting the grant application.
