The Town of Inlet and the Central Adirondack Partnership for the 21st Century (CAP-21) has announced the receipt of a $25,000 grant from the Laura Jane Musser Fund in support of the Volunteer Recreational Trails/Elaine Townsend Trail Project.

The grant will allow for the development and construction of a 1.5-mile multi-use trail connector between Inlet and Seventh Lake.

Dedicated to the memory of long-time Inlet resident Elaine Townsend, this trail link will connect Inlet businesses and services for those residents and visitors north of the town center.

It will also provide safe access for children to the Inlet schools and parks that are currently only available by walking along Route 28.

The Elaine Townsend Trail will promote extension to existing trail systems and increases access for walking, cycling, snowshoe and cross-country skiing.

The grant application was submitted on behalf of the town by the CAP-21 Community Grants Program and is the second Inlet trails grant secured by CAP-21 from the Musser Fund.

An original planning and design grant of $8,400 allowed for initial project development to enter the construction phase.

The CAP-21 community grants program receives support from the Town of Inlet, Central Adirondack Association (CAA), with additional support from the Community Foundation of Herkimer/Oneida Counties.

The Laura Jane Musser Fund, based in Minnesota, supports rural communities in a number of civic areas including public space improvement, education, economic development, and arts and humanities.

“The Town of Inlet is very pleased to receive funding for this project which we anticipate will be an economic driver through increased use of Inlet trails, parks and town businesses. We are also very pleased to honor the memory of Elaine Townsend and her family through this fitting natural memorial,” said Town of Inlet Supervisor John Frey.

All project work is expected to be completed by August 2012.