MATTAPOISETT — The Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path have received a commitment from a local donor to match dollar for dollar every donation (up to $25,000) made after Sept. 28 for the completion of the Marion Connector.

“This generous matching commitment brings us much closer to our goal of fully funding this segment of the bike path so that it can be put out to bid in December,” said Bonne DeSousa, president of the Friends. “If we can raise the funds to fully utilize this match, we will have what we need. There has been a good deal of interest from prospective donors, and with the help of this matching grant, I am very hopeful that we will have good news to report well before December.”

The Marion Connector is a half mile bike and pedestrian path between the eastern end of Industrial Park Drive and the Marion town line. At the border, it will connect with a similar shared use path to be constructed in the future by Marion. It provides a trailhead with handicapped accessible parking and access to the woodland trails of Tinkham Forest and the Aucoot Woods area. When Marion’s Pathway project is complete, walking, running and cycling on a paved shared use path will be available between Point Road in Marion, Route 105 in Marion and Industrial Drive in Mattapoisett.

The Friends is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, so contributions to the Friends for the construction of the Marion Connector are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Friends will apply 100% of contributions toward the construction of the Marion Connector.

Pledges payable during 2020 or 2021 will count toward meeting the required funding.

For more information and to make a donation, visit mattapoisettrailtrail.org. Donations can also be mailed to Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, PO Box 1336, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.