Town staff wish to update and build upon the findings of a report completed in 2003 that investigated the feasibility of developing a non-motorized multi-use trail network in the forest east of Route 289 to connect numerous key community destinations including the Essex Town Center, neighborhoods, and schools. The 2003 report was a “pre-scoping study” that narrowed down the potentially viable design alternatives. The grant application being proposed now would take the next step to further refine the design alternatives, develop more detailed cost estimates, and would broaden the scope to include connecting to the Saxon Hill area, evaluating economic development aspects, and restoring forest block connectivity.

This effort would support many of the desires expressed by the community during the development of the 2024 Town Plan update, including:

• Improving the connectivity of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
• Recreation opportunities – more opportunities and improvements to existing opportunities, especially Sand Hill Park and Saxon Hill which are both included in this grant application
• Economic development that supports a variety of local businesses – one of the key objectives of this grant source is to grow outdoor recreation-related businesses

The grant funding being sought is called the “VOREC (Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative) Community Grant program” which is offered through the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. More information can be found at https://fpr.vermont.gov/recreation/recreation-grants/vorec-community-grant-program . Applications are due December 15, 2023.

Upon completion of this work, the Town would be provided with:

• Enough information to allow the Town to select a preferred design alternative that best balances costs and benefits
• Feasible implementation and maintenance scenarios
• Sufficient design and cost estimate information to:
  • Allow simpler trail elements to be “shovel ready” for near-term construction
  • Seek future grant funding for design and construction work for the more complex trail elements

There is no cost or commitment required for the Town to apply for this grant. If the Town is awarded the grant, staff will then request that the Selectboard accept the grant. Accepting the grant requires no net costs to the Town. This is a reimbursement grant, meaning that the applicant must initially cover all of the costs associated with undertaking the proposed work; after which, the applicant can seek reimbursement for eligible expenses. At this time, the estimated costs are yet to be determined, but are not expected to exceed $80,000. The initial funding will be from the Parks & Recreation Department’s existing reserve of Recreation Impacts fees, which will then be reimbursed 100%.

Memo presented at 12/4/2023 Essex Selectboard meeting by Kent Johnson, Planner