Lee, Williamstown Awarded Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants
BOSTON – Governor Healey announced nearly $10 million in grants to improve parks, expand outdoor recreation opportunities, and protect natural resources across Massachusetts.
The funding will support 14 projects through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program, helping communities create and improve public spaces.
In Berkshire County, Lee was awarded $150,000 for the Longscope Trails.
The Longcope Trail project enhances and expands an existing trail system through strategic rerouting, new trail construction, trail upgrades, and bridge replacement. 2,680 linear feet of new trail spurs that connect existing trails will be constructed, resulting in a total of 5,146 linear feet of high-quality trails.
Williamstown was awarded $500,000 for Broad Brook Park.
The project will rehabilitate and update Broad Brook Park to include an inclusive playground, basketball / multi-sport court, paths, seating, lighting, trees, plantings, and rain gardens for stormwater treatment.
The grants are administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) on behalf of the National Park Service. The grants will support projects in Boston, Chicopee, Easthampton, Fitchburg, Halifax, Lee, Lynn, Provincetown, Quincy, Somerville, Southborough, Springfield, Williamstown, and Worcester. Since the start of the program, more than $150 million has been committed to Massachusetts parks and open spaces.
"Massachusetts is the best place to live because of the communities we build and the places that bring us together," said Governor Maura Healey. "Our parks, playgrounds, and open spaces are where we make memories and connect. These investments will help more communities create and protect those spaces, so everyone has a place to enjoy the outdoors."
The LWCF Grant Program was established by Congress in 1964 to protect the country's natural areas, water resources, cultural heritage, and to provide recreational opportunities to all Americans. The fund invests earnings from offshore oil and gas leasing to help strengthen communities, preserve local history, and protect the national endowment of lands and waters without using taxpayer dollars.?Any municipality with an approved Open Space and Recreation Plan, as well as the Departments of Conservation and Recreation and Fish and Game, and Massachusetts federally recognized tribes, are eligible to apply for this program.
"Access to parks and open spaces is essential to our well-being, giving residents places to play, gather, and enjoy the outdoors," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "We're committed to improving these important spaces while protecting Massachusetts' natural resources and building resilience to climate change."
The Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund provides up to 50 percent of the total project cost for the acquisition, development, and renovation of parks, trails, and conservation areas.
