10 August, 2020
HOPKINTON, MA (August 10, 2020) - Hopkinton’s Upper Charles Trail Committee (UCTC) has been awarded a $111,563 Mass Trails Grant for work on the Campus Trail Connector, a proposed 2,750-foot shared use path connecting the Hopkinton High School, Middle School, and the new Marathon Elementary School.
The grant is one of 55 grants recently announced by the Baker-Polito Administration.
“Massachusetts is home to thousands of miles of public trails, and today’s MassTrails Grants will aid in the improvement of these trails and assist in the creation of new sections for the public to enjoy,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The MassTrails Grants serve as a great example of our administration’s dedication to ensuring that the Commonwealth’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources remain accessible for years to come.”
The Campus Trail Connector, when combined with adjacent existing and proposed facilities, will allow students, runners, cyclists and others easy passage between the three schools as well as the downtown area, for a total distance of approximately 2.5 miles.
The section crossing school grounds has been approved by the School Committee and the area is contained on entirely town owned parcels. While a portion of the Campus Trail Connector has been cleared, the project is still in the early planning and engineering phase. The grant funds will allow for a detailed engineering study to determine the exact route, surface materials, and total cost and funding sources of the project.
While this is a stand-alone project, the Campus Trail Connector is a critical link to expand the existing Upper Charles Trail network which will include a continuous 8-mile shared use path through Hopkinton from Milford to Ashland. While the Upper Charles Trail is still a work in progress, the UCTC anticipates the Connector will become an integral part of the trail.
“Hopkinton is very fortunate to have over 200 trails for a variety of outdoor activities,” said Jane Moran, Chair of the Upper Charles Trail Committee. “Our committee is thankful for the support of the Select Board and we commend Town Manager Norman Khumalo and Senior Accounting Manager Ben Sweeney for their support of, and assistance with, the grant application.”
