hudson-river-valley-greenway.jpg Albany, NY - The Hudson River Valley Greenway is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the 2009 Greenway Conservancy Small Grant Program.  A total of $75,000 is available for matching grants in this year's program.  Applications can be requested by calling (518) 473-3835, by emailing the Greenway at hrvg@hudsongreenway.state.ny.us , or by following the "Grant Opportunities" link from the Greenway homepage at http://www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us/ .  All applications must be received in the Greenway office by 4:30 pm, September 4th, 2009.  Late, incomplete, faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted. The Greenway Conservancy Small Grant Program is an annual competitive grant funding opportunity available to communities and not-for-profit organizations within the designated Hudson River Valley Greenway area, which extends from Saratoga County and Washington counties to Battery Park, Manhattan.  The program offers funding for trail planning and design, construction and rehabilitation, and education and interpretation.  Emphasis is placed on trail projects that seek to implement the goals of the Draft Greenway Trail Vision Plan, fill in identified gaps in the Greenway Trail System, and make improvements to designated Greenway Trails.  Copies of the Draft Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail Vision Plan may be downloaded at www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us/.   This annual program has offered technical and financial assistance to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations since 1995.                                      Kevin J. Plunkett, Chairman of the Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, said, "The Greenway is pleased to present this important funding opportunity to Hudson Valley communities. Access to trails not only improves our quality of life in the Hudson River Valley but can also provide an alternative to using cars for every trip we make.  In addition to providing a healthy recreational resource, trails are an integral part of smart growth.  In the year of the Quadricentennial celebrations, the connections between communities are more important than ever to the legacy we leave." Projects that will be considered for funding through this year's grant program include:
  • Projects to construct, design or plan trail segments or links that further the goals of the Greenway Trail Program.
  • Rehabilitation projects to improve trails/trail segments that further the goals of the Greenway Trail Program.
  • Education and Interpretation projects, including trail signage, kiosks, guides, maps and brochures.
            The Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley is a public benefit corporation established by the Greenway Act of 1991 to continue New York State's commitment to the preservation, enhancement and development of the world-renowned scenic, natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources of the Hudson River Valley, while continuing to emphasize appropriate economic development activities and remaining consistent with the tradition of municipal home rule.  One of the Conservancy's primary objectives is to establish a Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail system, that links cultural and historic sites, parks, open spaces and community centers, and provides public access to the Hudson River. Visit http://www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us/ for more information on the Greenway Visit http://www.hudsonrivervalley.com/ for more information on the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

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Contact: Mark Castiglione Phone (518) 473-3835 Fax (518) 473-4518