CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Ten towns and organizations will get over $300,000 in grants collectively to improve outdoor recreation opportunities in northern New England.

The grants are provided by the Northern Forest Destination Development Initiative, which is managed by the Northern Forest Center. Funding comes from the Northern Border Regional Commission.

In Norway, Maine, for example, $21,000 in funding will help build a Nordic ski trail linking the trail system at Roberts Farm Preserve to downtown Norway, creating a skiable village.

“In the winter of 2018-2019 more than 3,000 skiers and snowshoers enjoyed the 20k trail system,” said Western Foothills Land Trust Executive Director Lee Dassler. “Those visitors frequent our Main Street restaurants, shops, and services while in town, and this trail will connect them directly to the downtown.”

In Vermont, $30,000 will go to the Craftsbury Community Care Center to build wheelchair-accessible paths open to the public and connected to the town trail system.

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail will receive $19,600 to map and promote underutilized waterways of the Northern Forest.

“This summer we will create maps, videos and trip descriptions of select day- and weekend- trips in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Coos County New Hampshire and Maine’s High Peaks,”said Karrie Thomas, executive director of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

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