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Wellington staff seek $450,000 state grant for Brown Trail improvements
Summary
Staff told the Equestrian Preserve Committee they will seek a $450,000 Recreational Trails Program grant to fund part of a $750,000 Brown Trail restoration near Sugar Pond, reducing Wellington’s share to about $300,000; construction would be off‑season and take roughly 90–120 days.
Staff presented the Brown Trail improvements project and said it is already budgeted for this fiscal year, but they will apply for a state Recreational Trails Program grant to reduce Wellington’s cost.
"The estimated cost of this project, is $750,000," a staff presenter said, adding: "We'll be applying for a $450,000 grant to reduce that cost, Wellington cost to to $300,000." The project would add a 12‑foot bridle trail with grass riding surface, regrade and stabilize the corridor, upgrade swales and culverts for drainage, and restore disturbed areas with sod and erosion control.
Committee members asked whether pausing the project while waiting on the grant would jeopardize the award. Staff said pausing would likely push construction to the following year but would not necessarily harm grant eligibility; the project is already considered usable now but suffers from drainage that can make it unusable after storms.
The presenter said the work would take about 90 to 120 days and would be scheduled in the off‑season to avoid disrupting equestrian events. He reiterated the $750,000 figure is preliminary and staff will seek to lower the estimate as design advances.
The committee did not take a formal vote on funding at the meeting; staff said if the grant is awarded, Wellington would fund the remaining approximate $300,000 from bridle‑trail funds already in the budget.
