State Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, has announced $525,000 in Community Conservation Partnership Program trails, ATV and snowmobile grants have been awarded to Northampton and North Catasauqua boroughs.

The funding from the program comes from a variety of sources, including the Keystone and Environmental Stewardship funds, ATV and snowmobile restricted accounts and federal Pennsylvania Recreational Trails funds.

The $25,000 grant for Northampton will assist with preparation of a study for development of about a half-mile of the Nor-Bath Trail.

The $500,000 North Catasauqua grant will be used to further develop the D&L Trail, including about 1.8 miles of trail from the Northampton County line in North Catasauqua Borough to West 10th Street in Northampton Borough. The project will also allow for construction of a retaining wall and bridge and create Americans with Disabilities Act access.

“Both of these grants will expand trail opportunities to area residents,” Mako said. “In particular, the North Catasauqua grant will help create almost 62 miles of continuously connected trail in the Lehigh Valley. The pandemic has influenced people to focus on staycations and increased the use of recreational opportunities close to home.

“I’m pleased the state was able to assist with funding these two important projects,” Mako said.

The 183rd District includes the townships of Allen, Lehigh and Moore (part) and the boroughs of North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport in Northampton County and the townships of South Whitehall (part), Washington and Whitehall (part) and Slatington Borough in Lehigh County.