MassTrails Grants

The MassTrails Grants program offers matching grants to support the development and maintenance of trails in Massachusetts. Grants can reach up to $500,000, depending on the project type. Eligible activities include design, engineering, and construction, with a minimum matching requirement of 20% from proponents. Projects must demonstrate community support and landowner permission, with funding sourced from both state and federal programs. This initiative aims to enhance recreational trail connectivity across the Commonwealth.

MassTrails provides matching grants to communities, public entities and non-profit organizations to design, create, and maintain the diverse network of trails, trail systems, and trails experiences used and enjoyed by Massachusetts residents and visitors. Applications are accepted annually for a variety of well-planned trail projects benefiting communities across the state.
MassTrails Grant Program Overview
MassTrails provides grants to support recreational trail and shared use pathway projects across the Commonwealth. The award maximum depends on the project type and needs and is generally $100,000 for recreational trails projects and up to $500,000 for shared-use path projects demonstrating critical network connections of regional or statewide significance.
Eligible grant activities include project development, design, engineering, permitting, construction, and maintenance of recreational trails, shared use pathways, and the amenities that support trails.
MassTrails grants are REIMBURSABLE, meaning grantees must first pay for expenditures themselves and then submit for reimbursement using the required documentation.
MassTrails grants are MATCHING grants and require that proponents provide a minimum of 20% of the total project cost. Projects with higher match commitments will be given greater consideration.
Eligible projects require documented landowner permission and community support.
MassTrails grants are reviewed and recommended by the Governor's Inter-Agency Trails Team and the  Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board (MARTAB).
MassTrails Grants are funded through two different sources:
Commonwealth Trails grants are supported by the state's annual Capital Investment Plan and aim to help communities design, create and maintain off-road shared-use pathway connections between where Massachusetts residents live, learn, work, shop, and recreate, especially by building out the longer distance regional networks of multi-use pathways across the state and filling in critical gaps in existing networks, or overcoming current barriers to connectivity.Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants are federally funded through the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), administered at the State level, providing funding for the development and maintenance of recreational trail projects. Both motorized and non-motorized trail projects qualify for assistance.