Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Awards $3.46 Million in Recreational Trail Grants to Texas Communities
May 25, 2017
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AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission today approved $3.46 million dollars in grants to help enhance 22 motorized and non-motorized recreational trail-related projects across the state.
The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) funds recreational trail construction, renovation and acquisition. The grants are funded from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases for off-road motorcycles and four-wheelers. Thirty percent of the total NRTF grants must be earmarked for motorized recreational trails, while another 30 percent must be spent on non-motorized trail projects. The remaining 40 percent is discretionary.
The motorized trail projects awarded funding are listed in alphabetical order by county below:
The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition in Crockett County received $394,991 to fund improvements to the Escondido Draw Recreation Area. The grant will fund the renovation of 88 miles of off highway vehicle trails with erosion controls, signage, trail maintenance equipment, picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles, a pavilion, parking area, entrance kiosk and fencing.
The Austin Ridge Riders in Travis County received $15,000 for improvements to city park trails. The funds will go toward the renovation of 7.56 miles of motorized, multi-use trails, signs and hand tools.
The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition in Upshur County received $198,000 to fund improvements to the Barnwell Mountain Recreation Center. The grant will fund the renovation of 10 miles of off highway vehicle trails, the construction of 5 new miles of off highway vehicle trails with erosion controls, the installation of vault toilets and helipads.
The non-motorized trail projects awarded funding are listed in alphabetical order by county below:
The city of Bryan in Brazos County received $104,500 toward the Bryan Camelot Park project. The grant will fund a new concrete trail, ADA accessible ramps and parking, a bridge, stairs and a retaining wall.
The city of Los Fresnos in Cameron County received $200,000 to go toward the Los Fresnos Hike and Bike Trail project. The grant will fund a 1.09 mile long concrete trail, pedestrian signals and a bridge.
The Greenbelt Alliance of Denton County in Denton County received $106,408.26 toward the Lake Ray Roberts Equestrian Trail and Trailhead Improvements Project. The grant will go toward the renovation of 9.5 miles of existing trail, horse corrals, hitching rails, two utility task vehicles (UTV), a UTV trailer, two chainsaws, two pole saws and training.
The city of San Elizario in El Paso County received $184,395 toward the San Elizario Circuit Trail Phase 1 project. The grant will go towards a new .66 mile aggregate surface hike and bike trail, road crossings, benches, trash receptacles, bollards, signage, interpretation kiosks and fencing.
The Fort Bend County MUD No.23 in Fort Bend County received $200,000 to fund the FBCMUD 23 Hike and Bike Trails project. The grant will go towards a 1.1 mile concrete trail, benches and bike racks.
The Houston Audubon Society in Galveston County received $63,850 to fund improvements to the Horseshoe Marsh Nature Trail project. The grant will fund a one mile pedestrian trail that will include a boardwalk, observation decks, fencing and a parking lot expansion.
The city of Hale Center in Hale County received $84,091 to fund the Caudle Lake Nature Trail project. The grant will go towards the creation of a .57 mile asphalt trail, culverts, bridges, benches, trees and signage.
The Exploration Green Conservancy in Harris County received $200,000 to go toward the Exploration Green Trail project. The grant will fund a 1.1 mile long, ten foot wide concrete multi-use trail.
The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center in Harris County received $200,000 toward the Houston Arboretum Boardwalk and Trail Enhancement project. The grant will go toward the creation of new boardwalk and the renovation of existing boardwalk.
The Chaparral Rails to Trails, Inc. in Hunt County received $200,000 to fund improvements to the Chaparral Rails to Trails Merit to Celeste project. The grant will go toward an eight mile rail trail, bollards, culverts and handrails. The trails are proposed to be multi-use and will include areas for equestrians.
The city of Carthage in Panola County received $200,000 to fund its Carthage City Trail project. The grant will toward a new .75 mile concrete and decomposed granite trail, shade shelter, water fountain, signs, bridges and culverts.
The Bureau of Land Management in Potter County received $42,860 toward the Cross Bar Management Area Multi Use Trails project. The grant will fund 7.55 miles of new trail, as well as the purchase of mini skid steer equipment, hand tools, signs and a trailhead kiosk.
The Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge in Tarrant County received $200,000 to fund the Greer Island Hub project. The grant will go toward a .19 mile crushed limestone trail, a new parking lot, composting toilet, trailhead kiosk, signage and levee stabilization.
Tom Green County received $199,119 to fund improvements to the Pugh Park-Christoval Trail project. The grant will fund the renovation of an existing 2.6 miles of trails, as well as the construction of a new .4 mile stabilized decomposed granite trail with picnic tables, drinking fountains, benches and signage.
The Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference (TTAT) in Travis County received $20,000 to fund the TTAT Conference sponsored by Bike Texas. The grant will provide partial funding of the Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference in March 2018.
Travis County received $200,000 to fund improvements to the Arkansas Bend Recreational Trail project. The grant will fund a new three mile crushed aggregate trail with interpretive and directional signage.
The Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center in Travis County received $47,001 toward the expansion of the Uplands Trail System. The grant will fund a new .10 mile accessible stabilized decomposed granite trail with signage, benches and fencing.
The Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust in Tyler County received $200,000 for improvements to the Dogwood Trail Preserve Acquisition project. The grant will go toward the purchase of 35 acres of land and the renovation of .80 miles of a natural surface trail.
The city of Georgetown in Williamson County received $200,000 toward the San Gabriel Trail project. The grant will fund a .44 mile concrete trail, bridges, fencing, signage and a drinking fountain.