Manchester Committee Gauging How To Spend Fed Dollars On Trails

MANCHESTER, CT — A committee in charge of spending federal grant money on the trails system in Manchester is asking residents to help it along.

On Oct. 4, 2022, the Manchester Board of Directors authorized the establishment of a Temporary Committee on Trail Enhancements and Connectivity to develop a plan for Manchester's trail network.

The committee was put in charge of $500,000 of federal American Rescue Plan money. A total of $300,000 in ARPA funds is to be spent on the acquisition of parcels of land that "improve or enhance the connection of accessibility of recreational trails." A total of $200,000 in ARPA funds are to be set aside to "maintain, upgrade, or otherwise enhance existing trails."

ARPA rules allow funds to be spent for recreational and physical fitness endeavors.

The survey covers topics like trail use and how members of the public identify which trails to access.

It also asks to rate parcels identified as possible acquisitions or candidates for improvement:

• 1027 Middle Turnpike East
• 571 Gardner St.
• Laurel Marsh area on Spencer Street

Members of the public can asses the survey here.