The Department of Conservation and Recreation announced today that will sponsor a public meeting on Tuesday, August 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Foley Residences in Mattapan to unveil the proposed alignment of an extension to the Neponset River trail.

The trail has drawn controversy from potential abutters, who in public meetings last year argued that several of the alternatives plans could involve the blasting of rocks near their homes and the destruction of trees.

The community meeting is geared towards gathering public input on the final deal as DCR sprints to apply for a federal grant by October. DCR is pursuing a $10 million grant. If DCR receives the money, the agency would throw in an additional $2.5 million towards the project.

The funding would not just go towards extending the greenway by one mile. In total, roughly three “missing” miles would be added, bringing the trail’s total length to eight miles and having it run completely from the Blue Hills to Boston Harbor. Five miles already exist.

More on the topic is available here.