The Olde Richmond Civic Association was announced as one of the two local organizations to be awarded $5,000 in grants by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to continue their efforts on the Richmond Industrial Trail corridor development, part of the larger inter-state Circuit Trails network.
Along with HACE, the two organizations join 45 other projects across 15 states and the District of Columbia that have been awarded a combined $308,500 in funding by the RTC to support community-led efforts to connect people with trails in their neighborhoods.
“At RTC, we believe that trails have the power to transform communities and create joyful, vibrant public spaces that are equitable and inclusive,” said Liz Thorstensen, RTC’s vice president of trail development, in a press release. “These grants are an intentional investment in the partners and people who are working on the ground — in their neighborhoods and in their states — to establish the programming and the infrastructure necessary to invite everyone living in a community to enjoy their trails.”
The grants will help ORCA clean up the surrounding neighborhood to help showcase the potential for a community trail. The nearly 2-mile trail would connect five other surrounding neighborhoods to the wider Circuit Trails network connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which will help increase well-being while offering safe transportation options.
By the time the Circuit Trails network is complete, more than 50% of the Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey region’s population will live within a mile of the Circuit Trails.
“Our partners are leading the way to a future where trails connect everyone, everywhere,” Thorstensen said.
