A major trail project in Fremont County has received a significant funding boost.
According to a press release from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the city of Farragut has been awarded $15,000 from the 2019 Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund Grants that were allocated in late May. The funds will be used for the Farragut Admiral Trail project, according to Jeff McQueen who is the chair of the Admiral Trail Steering Committee.
"We're very excited that through some very creative grant writing, we were awarded the Doppelt Grant for $15,000," McQueen said. "What's amazing about this is that with the Doppelt Grant, there's only 10 given nationwide. Farragut was lucky enough to be one of these that was awarded a grant."
McQueen says the grant money will help developers close the final fundraising gap for the restoration of three bridges and paving of a former rail corridor for the Admiral Trail, which will eventually connect to the Wabash Trace Nature Trail.
"This will give us the chance to pave from Farragut out to Manti Road," McQueen said. "That will give us a loop to use Manti Road back to Farragut. It will also repair the bridges and culverts on further toward Highway 2."The Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund invested over $130,000 in trail projects for 2019. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is the nation's largest trails organization dedicated to connecting people and communities with public trails.
McQueen made his comments on recent edition of KMA's "Dean & Friends" program.
BIKEIOWA NOTE: Old news, but for a new trail we just added.