Grant Program Overview

Greenways are corridors of land and water that protect and link a wide variety of natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

DCR provides grants of up to $5,000 to non-profit organizations, municipalities, and regional planning associations to support innovative greenway and trail projects throughout Massachusetts. DCR will also consider requests of up to $10,000 for multi-town greenway and trail projects. These additional funds are intended to promote linkages across town boundaries and foster partnerships among neighboring communities.

The Grant Program favors feasible projects that produce tangible results, enjoy broad-based community support, and will serve as models for other greenway and trail initiatives. Projects eligible for funding include greenway and trail planning, mapping and resource assessment, greenway related public education and outreach, and greenway and trail management, maintenance, and expansion. Since its inception in 1993, the Greenway Grant Program has funded 270 projects statewide for a total of more than $960,000. In general, grant funds pay for a portion of a larger project and leverage at least an equal amount of local funds and services.

Creating greenway and trail networks is an effective means of protecting and providing access to a number of places that make Massachusetts a special place to live. In addition to linking landscape features, greenway projects often connect people with the land and with one another. DCR's Greenways and Trails Demonstration Grant Program is intended to foster these connections, and further community-based greenway and trail initiatives throughout Massachusetts.

For more information about Greenways and Trails Demonstration Grants, contact Paul Jahnige, Director of Greenways and Trails at (413) 586-8706 ext. 20 or paul.jahnige@state.ma.us.