Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced approximately $10.5 million in grants supporting 50 projects to plan, build, expand, restore, and improve multi-use trails across Connecticut. The funding was awarded through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program following a competitive review process.
The grants will support diverse projects including new trail construction, trail rehabilitation, bridge replacements, accessibility improvements, trailhead and parking enhancements, and long-term maintenance of the state's trail network. According to the agency, all projects enhance or expand public access to trails.
Twenty-five of the fifty awarded projects are located in or serve Connecticut's distressed municipalities and environmental justice communities, which the state said will improve equitable access to outdoor recreation.
Connecticut's trail system continues to experience record use, according to the agency. The Connecticut Trail Census recorded more than 2.7 million trail users at 27 monitored locations statewide during 2025.
According to the agency, the grants are intended to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, strengthen connections between communities, improve public health, and support Connecticut's outdoor recreation economy. The state's outdoor recreation economy generates approximately $6 billion annually in economic activity, supports more than 50,000 jobs, and generates approximately $2.8 billion in wages and salaries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account.