The Green Mountain Association of Realtors® has received a $2,200 Placemaking micro-grant from the National Association of Realtors® to help make the Waterbury community a better place to live and work by transforming unused public spaces into vibrant community places.
The grant is intended to help Realtor® Associations partner with others to plan, organize, implement and maintain placemaking activities in their communities. Members are actively engaged in the community and know the areas that would benefit most from these improvement efforts.
The Waterbury Area Trails Alliance (WATA) will use the funds to build a new mountain bike and cross country skiing trail system within the Little River State Park. The requested funds will be used to retain trail staff to build approximately 3.5 miles of new trail and interpretative signage, purchase materials and hire a professional trail designer/project manager as they complete the actual trail construction projects to the standards of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).
“Realtors® live, work and volunteer in their communities and take pride in implementing new projects to improve them,” said Craig Santenello a Realtor® from Century 21 Jack Associates who specializes in the Waterbury, VT area. “Placemaking can help promote healthier, more social and economically viable communities. This grant will allow us to address areas in our community that are ripe for sustainable recreational development and create a place where friends and neighbors can come together.”
“As the Waterbury area becomes more attractive and continues it’s impressive rebound from Hurricane Irene, nearby properties will continue to increase in value as will the demand for them.” Santenello said.
For more information about the Waterbury Area Trails Alliance (WATA), click here.
To find out more about National Association of Realtors® placemaking grants, click here.