ESSEX COUNTY, NY. (WCAX) – 100 thousand dollars is on the way to a North Country nonprofit to help sustain and expand hiking trails in the Lake Champlain area.
New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation awarded Champlain Area Trails the Smart Growth Grant.
The nonprofit currently maintains 98 miles of trails that are on private property across Essex and Clinton county.
Executive director Chris Maron says they make agreements with private land owners, which are renewed annually. He says the money will be used to hopefully make the agreements permanent -offering an Adirondack alternative.
“Many of the trails are shorter and they are easier and they are more accommodating for families and people who may not want to take big long hikes but want to take really great hikes and have great views. So, by doing that, it helps the local economy,” Champlain Area Trails Executive Director Chris Maron said.