Earlier this month, the Baker-Polito administration officially announced an exciting new program: MassTrails, which will provide funding and resources to expand and connect recreational trails and shared-use paths in Massachusetts.
In addition to distributing about $5 million in matching grants in Fiscal Year 2020, MassTrails will offer technical assistance and resouces to help design, construct, and maintain the Commonwealth's high-quality trails. Some of these resources are already available, including a shared-use path planning and design guide and a cost estimator tool.
MAPC has worked collaboratively with the MassTrails team to advocate for increased attention to trails in the Commonwealth and communicate our priorities for funding.
Planning Primer
The MassTrails planning primer is a how-to guide on moving a path project from vision to reality – regardless of your technical background. Use the tool to guide the process of planning, designing, funding, and constructing new paths.
Cost Estimating Tool
The MassTrails cost estimating tool can be used to quickly gauge the potential cost of a project with information such as the path’s length, existing conditions in the area, and material.
MassTrails and LandLine
The MassTrails program is particularly exciting for its potential to help realize MAPC's LandLine vision plan. Earlier this year, MAPC released a visionary plan to connect 1,400 miles of greenways and trails into a seamless network. The LandLine would include consistent and clear signage throughout the network and bring trail access within a mile of where 92 percent of the region's residents live.
MassTrails places particular emphasis on expanding and connecting existing trails - exactly what LandLine is trying to achieve.
As individual municipalities advance segments of the LandLine in their communities, MAPC is ready to help with corridor level planning and identifying funding resources. The Baker administrations's commitment to funding these projects through MassTrails is an exciting step toward realizing our vision!
More on Trails...
Interested in learning more about MAPC's trails-related work? Read on!
Trailmap
LandLine
