The Town of Plymouth is pleased to announce that it has received an award of $100,000 from the MassTrails Grant Program for the improvement and extension of the Town’s Seaside Trail.

The MassTrails Grant Program is an inter-agency initiative led by Governor Baker’s office, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA), Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).  The purpose of the grant program is to expand and connect networks of public, recreational pathways and off-road trails for all users across Massachusetts.

Of the 167 proposals submitted within the 2022 grant cycle, MassTrails awarded grants for 81 trail improvement projects across Massachusetts, totaling $11.4 million in funding. Projects funded for 2022 include the creation of new multi-use trails, the improvement of existing trails, the expansion of trail accessibility and connection, the construction of boardwalks and pedestrian bridges, and the acquisition of land for new trails.  Maximum awards for eligible projects ranged from $50,000 for “local” projects to $300,000 for regional networks of critical statewide significance.   

“Congratulations to Plymouth for being 1 of the 81 recipients out of 167 applicants for this very competitive grant program, which will allow Plymouth to expand its Seaside Trail to make it easier to connect residents and visitors closer to other attractions in town,” said Rep. Matt Muratore. “In a Town with so much to offer, connectivity is key to ensuring enjoyable and longer stays and we are grateful for this Mass Trails grant opportunity.”

Under the stewardship of the Town’s Department of Marine & Environmental Affairs (DMEA), Plymouth will apply the $100,000 MassTrails award toward the improvement and extension of the highly-popular, one-mile Seaside Trail that runs along the former Old Colony Railroad line, from Nelson Memorial Park to Hedge Road.   Specifically, the Seaside Trail Improvements and Extension Project will extend the trail approximately 1/3 mile southward, across Nelson Street, to the public parking area on Lothrop Street, thereby connecting pedestrians further into the downtown/harbor district. As part of the project, the crossing at Nelson Street will be realigned, outfitted with improved safety measures and signage, and connected with a new, extended sidewalk on the southerly side of the street.

Plymouth’s Town Manager, Derek Brindisi, thanked the Governor’s Office and the MassTrails program for recognizing the Town’s Seaside Trail project with the maximum category award of $100,000.  “The Select Board and I know just how important these projects are to the community,” Brindisi said. “These are the initiatives that engage residents and visitors to connect with and enjoy Plymouth’s recreational resources, to their fullest extent.  The MassTrails grant allows us to maximize the improvements that we can make to the safety, accessibility, and beauty of the trail.”

The Town anticipates that the project will be underway by late summer, with an anticipated project completion date of December 2022.  In the interim, the Town will make every effort to keep the public informed of key construction milestones and any traffic interruptions related to the completion of the project.