Smart Growth grant gives EAST BRANCH Community Trails a boost

A transformational trail project in Keene is getting a boost from a $125,000 Smart Growth grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The funding will allow the town, in partnership with BETA and the Keene Youth Commission, to move forward with planned expansion of the East Branch Community Trails this summer. 

In a press release announcing this year’s Smart Growth and other state grants, Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Smart Growth grants represent a vital investment in our communities, fostering sustainable development, economic prosperity, and enhanced quality of life.”

The East Branch Community Trails are on a 113-acre tract of county land off State Route 9N between Keene and Upper Jay. Now in its third year of trail construction, the project began as a vision of the Keene Youth Commission seeking opportunities to foster physical activity for kids through mountain biking and outdoor recreation. That vision took form as a trails plan laid out by Luke Peduzzi, of Peduzzi Trails, with support and guidance from BETA in 2021. 

Trail building during Phase 2 at East Branch Community Trails. Thank you Peduzzi + volunteers!

In 2022 and 2023, BETA raised over $100,000 of donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund work with Peduzzi, BETA staff, and community volunteers including youth.  During this period almost three miles of trail were completed, which quickly became popular with walkers, runners, and mountain bikers. The next phase of the planned 7-mile shared use trail system will be built in 2024 and 2025 with funding by the Smart Growth grant and $63,000 of donated cash and labor matching from BETA. 

Joe Pete Wilson, Keene Town Supervisor said, “I want to thank Governor Hochul and NY State DEC for supporting grassroots recreation projects like the East Branch Community Trails with a generous Smart Growth Grant.  These very successful multi-use trails are the result of motivated families in the Keene Youth Commission program leading the effort to develop biking and recreation opportunities for local kids. The grant will help build on a solid foundation of trails developed and constructed with support from local businesses, Essex County, BETA, the Town of Keene, and many volunteers.”

“This project shows the importance of trails in building healthy, connected communities and the high level of use is evidence of the strong demand in our region for sustainable shared-use trail systems accessible by beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, walkers and trail runners.  We are very thankful for the support from the Town of Keene, Essex County, Keene Youth Commission, Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation in this effort,” said BETA Executive Director Glenn Glover. “This important effort is another example of the public/private partnerships by which BETA helps to build and maintain the trails that strengthen the communities in our region,” Glover added.

Ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the Phase 1 trails, September 2022

For more information about East Branch Community Trails, the impact they have already had in our area, and our plans for the future, read some of our previous blog posts:
East Branch Community Trails Overview
Young Voices
​A Heartfelt Thank You and More Trail Updates
A Mid-Summer Trails Update (2022)