Massachusetts

Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board (MARTAB) is a volunteer board appointed by the DCR Commissioner through the Director of DCR’s Recreational Trails Program.

As an independent entity, MARTAB provides advice to Department of Conservation (DCR) staff on issues and projects of importance to the trail community. It represents every major trail user group from motorized users to non-motorized users and seeks to promote a cooperative, practical approach to solving trail issues.

It’s most important function is to make recommendations to the Commissioner on the distribution of the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds that come to each state from the US Department of Transportation. Massachusetts disburses approximately $1 million each year.

MARTAB’s recommendations are the first cut on how these funds could be spent and it involves the Board reviewing each proposal, discussing them and rating them according to an agreed list of criteria and weights. At the end of the review process, a ranked list of the applications submitted from communities and organizations throughout the state is created and forwarded to the Commissioner and Governor for their approval.

MARTAB is involved in other activities, including sponsorship of statewide trail workshops to improve the skills and experience of the many trail volunteers working to enhance our trail network within the Commonwealth. They also organize and put on the annual Massachusetts Trails Conference. These educational and community-building opportunities are funded through the Recreational Trails Program -Educational Grants.

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More winners of this award

2018: Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee

2016: Trails Advisory Committee - Indiana

2015: Colorado

2013: Wisconsin

2012: Illinois Greenways & Trails Council

2010: Tennessee

2009: Minnesota