Recreational Trail Grants Fund Projects Statewide

Stephanie Salinas, 512-389-8756, stephanie.salinas@tpwd.texas.gov

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AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Thursday approved $5.25 million in federal grants for 38 recreational trail projects across the state. Eighty-two project proposals were submitted requesting more than $13 million in funding assistance.

The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) comes from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases for off-road motorcycles and four-wheelers.  The purpose of the NRTF is to create new, or improve existing, recreational trails.

A requirement of the NRTF is that 30 percent of the total funds must be spent on motorized recreational trails, 30 percent on non-motorized trail projects with the remaining 40 percent being discretionary.

Motorized trails project sponsors that were awarded funding include the cities of Bridgeport, Childress, Graham,  McAllen, and Trophy Club, as well as Sam Houston National Forest and  the Texas Motorized Trail Coalition.

Bridgeport in Wise County was granted $28,960 for improvements to the Northwest OHV Park. The grant money will go towards new trail tools, maintenance vehicle, new signs and radios.

Childress in Childress County was awarded $193,144 for improvements to the ATV and Moto Park Improvements that include a new 13-mile trail, road repairs, fences, a maintenance area, and erosion control.

Graham in Young County was granted $188,400 for the Graham ATV and Moto Park. The grant money will go towards a new eight-mile trail, an access road, a staging area and planning.

McAllen in Hidalgo County was awarded $240,000 for improvements to the McAllen Motocross Park, including a new 2.5-mile motorized riding area, a restroom, fences, and signs.

The Sam Houston National Forest in Walker County was awarded $336,000 for multi-use trail rehabilitation. Improvements include renovation to a 10-mile dirt trail, bridges, a trailer and training.

The Texas Motorized Trail Coalition in Crockett County was granted $400,000 for improvements to the Escondido Draw OHV Recreation Area, including adding electricity and water to sites, an entrance gate, signs, and erosion control.

The Texas Motorized Trail Coalition in Upshur County was awarded $235,571 for the Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area. Improvements include renovations to a 30 mile trail, a maintenance building, trailhead shelters, and parking.

Trophy Club in Denton County was granted $144,000 for the Trophy Club OHV Park  improvements, including parking, signs, new fences, and visitor shade shelters.

The non-motorized trail projects awarded funding are listed in alphabetical order by county below:

Breckenridge in Stephens County was awarded $71,680 for the Breckenridge Park Walk/Jog Trail. Improvements include a new .57-mile trail, bridges, and benches.

Bridgeport in Wise County was granted $67,040 for improvements to the Northwest Hike and Bike Park. The grant money will fund a new six-mile trail, a restroom, fencing, new signs, benches, and tables.

Brownwood in Brown County was awarded $200,000 for the Camp Bowie Walking Trail. Improvements include a new two-mile trail, crosswalks, benches and signs.

The Caddo Trail Riders Association in Fannin County was granted $65,800 for improvements to the Caddo Grassland Equestrian Trails, including renovations to a 27-mile trail, signs, water, and hitching posts.

Canton in Van Zandt County was awarded $97,168 for improvements to a city lake park trail, including a new .66-mile trail, new signs, bridges and benches.

Canyon in Randall County was granted $73,168 for improvements to the Canyon Parks bike and jogging trails, including a new 3.1-mile trail.

The East Texas Arboretum in Henderson County was awarded $10,000 for trail enhancements, including new signs, a drinking fountain, tree trimming, and benches.

The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council in Galveston County was granted $136,000 for enhancements to the Big Reef interpretive trail, including a new 1.5-mile trail, an observation deck, signs, benches and parking.

The Greenbelt Alliance of Denton County was awarded $132,313 for improvements to the Lake Ray Roberts Equestrian Trail. The project includes the renovation of a 10-mile trail, a bridge, and signs.

The Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition in Harris County was granted $98,280 for improvements to Bradfield Park, including a new 0.4-mile trail, signs, parking, benches and a bike rack.

Hico in Hamilton County was awarded $117,567 for a new hike and bike trail extension. The project will include a 0.3-mile trail, renovations to a 0.4-mile asphalt trail, benches, signs, and a fountain.

The Hill Country Conservancy in Travis County was granted $200,000 for the Violet Crown trail, including a new 0.9-mile trail, a bridges, low water crossing, and signs.

Horseshoe Bay in Burnet County was awarded $110,334 for improvements to the Horseshoe Bay trail, including a new 2.2-mile natural surface trail and signs.

Kilgore in Gregg County was granted $199,510 for the Kilgore recreational trail. The project includes a new 1.7-mile trail, bridge, benches and signs.

Lasara Independent School District in Willacy County was awarded $96,803 for the Lasara community nature trail. The grant will fund new one-mile trail, benches, a bridge, signs, and observation deck and tools.

Levelland was granted $27,594 for the Levelland trail expansion. Funds will go towards a new .18-mile trail and benches.

Little Elm in Denton County was granted $200,000 for the second phase of the McCord trail project. The funds will go towards a new 0.7-mile trail and a bridge.

The Mission Bend Greenbelt Association in Fort Bend County was awarded $96,640 to go towards a Bayou hike and bike trail extension. The funds will be used for a new 0.7-mile trail, new signs, access ramps and gates.

The National Park Service in Moore County was granted $148,260 to go towards the Lake Meredith National recreation Area- South Turkey Creek trail. The funds will go towards the creation of a new 10.6-mile trail.

Olney in Young County was awarded $89,796 for the Olney Walking Park. The grant will help fund a new .33-mile trail, bridge improvements, lighting, signs and benches.

Port Isabel in Cameron County was granted $200,000 for the Galvan-Bejarano McFarland trail. The funds will go towards a new 1.4-mile trail in the Texas Department of Transportation Right of Way.

Raymondville in Willacy County was awarded $48,500 for the Trinity Strand trail. The project will fund a new .33-mile trail, signs, a water fountain and benches.

Rockport in Aransas County was granted $50,400 for the Memorial Park hike and bike trail restoration project. Improvements include resurfacing of a 1.6-mile trail, signs, benches and a water fountain.

Rusk in Cherokee County was awarded $118,830 for the Rusk recreational trail. Improvements include a new 0.8-mile trail, benches, signs, and a parking area.

San Bonito in Cameron County was granted $200,000 for the Heavin trail expansion project, including a new 2.75-mile trail.

San Diego I.S.D. in Duval County was awarded $146,520 for the San Diego Nature and Fitness trail. The funds will go towards a 0.4-mile trail, benches and signs.

Surfside Beach in Brazoria County was granted $153,593 for phase three of the Bluewater trail. The project includes a new 1.75-miles trail, benches and signs.

Texas A&M University-Texarkana in Bowie County was awarded $199,500 for renovations to the Bringle Lake trail. The project includes renovations to a 2.5-mile trail, benches and signs.

The Friends of Trinity Strand in Dallas County was granted $33,984 for improvements to the Trinity Strand trail. The project includes water fountain, bike racks, benches and signs.

Tyler in Smith County was awarded $98,300 for improvements to the Faulkner Park Lake trail. The project includes a new 0.5-mile trail, observation deck, signs, benches and tables.

For more information about the grant awards or the recreation grant programs, see TPWD’s grants Web page, phone the Recreation Grants Branch at (512) 389-8224 or email:  Rec.Grants@tpwd.texas.gov.