The Healey-Driscoll Administration is funneling a whopping $24 million into Massachusetts trail network aimed at environmental justice communities, according to an announcement released on Mass.gov. This cash injection, courtesy of the American Rescue Plan Act, is set to bolster connections between the communities, fuel tourism, stimulate economic growth, and foster access to the great outdoors.

“This funding is an investment in the well-being of our residents and our economy,” Governor Maura Healey told Mass.gov. The administration has high hopes that the funds will not only put Massachusetts on the map for nature enthusiasts but also energize locals to explore the trails, whether for commuting or recreation.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, remembering her days as mayor, emphasized the impact improved trails can have on public health and local coffers. On the granular level, the dollars will support major trail systems like the Charles River Greenway and the Mystic River Clippership Connector, with $15 million earmarked for these constructions within the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) network.

An additional $6 million is being routed via the MassTrails Grant program to various municipalities for their own trails, ensuring that places like Dorchester and Milton don’t miss a beat in trail maintenance and creation. The program, as Senator Brendan Crighton pointed out to Mass.gov, will make a significant difference to a trail network that serves an expansive audience, contributing to both public health and connectivity.

For the trails under DCR's wing, $3 million has been carved out to keep them in top-notch shape for the foreseeable future. Despite the upcoming flurry of activity with maintenance and construction, officials assure that trail-goers will experience no closures, keeping pathways open for continuous enjoyment.

This fiscal move forms part of a broader strategy by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to knit environmental justice communities into the fabric of Massachusetts' green spaces, opening up avenues for not just recreational pursuits but also economic development and eco-friendly transport options.