CRANBERRY TWP — The Alcoa Foundation through Alcoa Cranberry (Traco) has awarded a $20,000 grant to Cranberry Township for the installation of bicycle racks at 14 locations in the township.

A grant for the project, known as ‘Parks and Racks,’ was awarded to the township in May.

A network of interconnected bicycle and pedestrian pathways through the township had been visualized in Cranberry’s long-range comprehensive plan, adopted in 2009. Since that time, under the umbrella of CycleCT, the township has established about 7.4 miles of bicycle paths and road-sharing routes. Installing bike racks in the parks as part of that network was a priority recommendation in the Bicycle-Pedestrian element of that long-range plan.

Township public works personnel will install the racks in each of Cranberry’s three major parks as well as at the front entrance to its municipal center and its Skatepark. Each rack will be able to secure up to five bicycles.

Orders for the racks, which normally require several weeks to fabricate, will be placed shortly after the funds have been received, according to township community planner Joe Shafer.

A check presentation ceremony is planned for Dec. 11. The township expects to begin installing racks by the end of March.

“This project would not have been possible without Alcoa,” said Shafer in a release. “This grant covers about 85 percent of the cost.”

The Butler County Convention and Tourism Bureau also will be a contributor to the project, donating $1,500. The township will cover the balance. Contributors to the project will be commemorated with either stamped pavers or plaques at each rack site.