A connected trail system in the Ashley Valley could become a reality thanks to a collaboration effort for grant funding. Earlier this year, the project was awarded a UDOT grant of $350,000 dollars with approximately $100,000 of that to be used to develop an urban plan for Vernal and Naples and the remaining funds to address the rest of Uintah County. According to Vernal City Mayor Sonja Norton, other grant applications have been submitted with the goal being the project can proceed without using City or County funds. “We’ll keep going after grants in hopes that it will help a lot with our struggle to get trails on the ground for people in the City,” shares Mayor Norton. “I think a trail system would do nothing but benefit our community.” Grants are being sought through the League of Cities and Towns as well as the National Parks River and Trails program.
