Presenter: Tim Hogsett
Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Action
Recreation Trails Grant Funding
August 27, 2009
I. Executive Summary: This item is to award federal funds allocated under the National Recreational Trail Grants for trail construction, renovation and acquisition projects. This item obligates federal National Recreational Trail Funds to eligible trail projects based upon the recommendations of the Texas Statewide Trails Advisory Board.
II. Discussion: The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) comes from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases to utilize off-road recreational vehicles, such as off-road motorcycles and four-wheelers. The purpose of the NRFT is to provide funding for projects that create new and maintain existing motorized and non-motorized recreational trails. These federal funds are administered by the Federal Highway Administration and distributed to states via a formula that takes into account state population and sales of fuel for off-road recreational vehicles. Nationwide, the program was appropriated $85 million for the current federal fiscal year (FY2009); Texas' share of these funds is $2,997,268. A number of projects funded in previous years were completed under budget and two projects were cancelled, creating another $490,000 available for re-allocation this year. The Department will utilize this $490,000 to fund trail improvements in ten state parks resulting in a total of $3,487,268 of federal funding available to fund eligible trail construction projects.
In February 2009, a 90 day call for proposals was issued. A record 76 projects were submitted for funding consideration requesting $12.5 million in funds. Recommendations are to fund 25 of these projects at this time in addition to the state park trails improvement project for a total of $3,487,268 of federal funding assistance.
The Act that created this fund stipulates that states must have a trails advisory board made up of various trail user group representatives to be eligible to receive the federal funds. The purpose of the trails advisory board is to provide guidance in the distribution of these funds. The 10 member, Texas Statewide Trails Advisory Board met in June 2009 to review the submitted trail project proposals and develop a list of recommended projects for funding. Each project was reviewed by the advisory board and scored based on the quality of the project, its cost effectiveness, its impact on recreational trail opportunities, and geographic distribution of funds. Exhibit A contains the list of submitted projects, with funds requested by each sponsor, project scoring and funding recommendations made by the advisory board and a description of each project. Ten Department trail improvement projects located at Bastrop SP, Brazos Bend SP, Colorado Bend SP, Cooper Lake SP, Lake Somerville SP, Huntsville SP, Meridian SP, Tyler SP, and Old Tunnel WMA are included in the funding recommendation.
A federal requirement of the NRTF is that 30 percent of the funds be spent on motorized recreational trail projects, 30 percent on non-motorized trail projects, with the remaining 40 percent discretionary. The list of projects recommended for funding, if approved, will satisfy this federal requirement.
III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:
"Funding for 25 projects recommended in Exhibit A in the amount of $2,995,890 and State Park trail improvements in the amount of $490,000 is approved."
Attachments - 1
- Exhibit A - Project Listing and Funding Recommendations
Commission Agenda Item No. 9
Exhibit A
Project Listing and Funding Recommendations
| Score | Project Sponsor | Project Name | Funds Requested | Funds Recommended | Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | Wichita Falls Streams & Valleys | Wee-Chi-Tah Trail Restoration | $22,571 | $22,571 | Erosion control, bridge, signs, equipment |
| 57 | Rio Bravo MX | Rio Bravo Improvements | $40,000 | $40,000 | Bridges, restroom, parking, storage building, pavilion |
| 57 | Sonora Economic Dev. Corp. | Eaton Hill Wildlife Sanctuary | $16,160 | $16,160 | New 0.27 mile granite trail, parking |
| 56 | N. Texas Rural Rail Trans. Dist. | Wichita Valley Railway Daylight Tr. | $33,641 | $33,641 | Improve drainage on 6 mile trail, parking, benches, signs |
| 56 | City of Reno | Reno Trail Extension | $87,174 | $87,174 | New 0.5 mile asphalt rail-trail extension, signs, bridge rails |
| 54 | Armand Bayou Nature Center | Hiking Trail Restoration | $112,996 | $112,996 | Re-surface 3 miles of trail, signing |
| 54 | Chihuahuan Desert Research Inst. | Trail to the Top | $36,518 | $36,518 | New 0.38 mile, renovate 0.28 mile trail, signs, benches |
| 52 | Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuge | Dow Woods Trail | $200,000 | $200,000 | New 1.7 mile granite trail, bridge, restroom, parking, benches, signs |
| 51 | City of Dalhart | Rita Blanca Lake Trail Improvement | $97,500 | $97,500 | Surface improvement to 6.71 mile trail, erosion control |
| 51 | Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition | Ida Gaye Gardens & Trail | $97,370 | $97,370 | New 0.86 mile granite and concrete trail, engineering |
| 51 | Texas Motorized Trail Coalition | Escondido Draw Recreation Area | $323,380 | $217,325 | Restroom, equipment storage building, signs, equipment |
| 50 | Oak Ridge Forest HOA | Spring Hike/Bike Trail | $41,421 | $41,421 | New 0.86 mile granite trail, fencing, ADA ramps |
| 50 | TX Equestrian Trail Riders Assoc. | Waco Lake Reynolds Cr. Trailhead | $77,220 | $77,220 | Parking, pavilion, corrals, signs, water, tools, lights |
| 47 | Houston Arboretum & Nature Center | Outer Loop Resurfacing, Phase 2 | $196,105 | $196,105 | Resurface 1.25 mile trail, signs |
| 47 | Timber Lane Utility District | Cypress Creek Hike and Bike Trail | $170,960 | $170,960 | New 0.6 mile asphalt trail, bridges, signs, engineering |
| 46 | Texas Motorized Trail Coalition | Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area | $259,920 | $191,520 | Equip. storage building, trail repair, tools, equipment, utilities |
| 45 | City of Childress | Childress ATV & Moto Park | $575,316 | $239,908 | Acquire 212 acre addition, parking, equipment, water |
| 45 | City of San Angelo | Rio Concho Trail Rehabilitation | $200,000 | $200,000 | New 0.62 mile limestone trail, renovate 0.96 existing trail |
| 45 | U.S. Forest Service | Sam Houston Multi-use Trail, Ph. 3 | $632,400 | $200,000 | Bridges, trailheads, signing, equipment, tools, trailer, tot loop |
| 44 | City of Arlington | Crystal Canyon Nature Preserve Trail | $128,000 | $128,000 | New 0.8 mile, 8' wide limestone trail, bridges, signs |
| 44 | Roll Call — Friends of Camp Hearne | Camp Hearne Trail | $145,520 | $145,520 | New 2.32 mile granite trail, restroom, gazebo, benches, water |
| 43 | City of Flatonia | Downtown Flatonia Parks Trail | $154,500 | $142,656 | New 0.75 mile granite trail, tables, benches, lighting, signs |
| 43 | City of Parker | Preserve Recreational Trail | $137,325 | $137,325 | New 0.8 mile, 8' wide granite trail, bridge, low water crossing |
| 43 | Town of Trophy Club | Trophy Club OHV Park | $409,359 | $144,000 | Restroom, parking, fencing, signing, shade structures |
| Texas Trails Network | State Trails Conference & Workshops | $20,000 | $20,000 | Host the 2010 and 2011 Texas State Trails Conference | |
| Total | $2,995,890 | ||||
| 42 | U.S. Forest Service | Sawmill Hiking Trail | $160,000 | $0 | Bridges |
| 41 | East Texas Arboretum | Educational Nature Trail | $35,200 | $0 | New 0.27 mile nature trail, rest area, fencing, signs, monument |
| 41 | City of Haltom City | Whites Branch Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.0 mile concrete, bridge, signs, design |
| 41 | City of Schertz | Schertz Recreational Trail Phase 2 | $87,300 | $0 | New 1.8 mile granite trail, drainage, signing |
| 41 | City of Universal City | Cibolo Creek Nature Trail | $134,016 | $0 | New 0.56 mile, renovate 2.71 miles granite trail, signing |
| 40 | Houston Parks Board | Freed Art & Nature Park | $121,800 | $0 | New 0.6 mile nature trail, boardwalk, signs, tables, bollards |
| 40 | City of Leon Valley | Leon Valley Connectivity Trail | $63,674 | $0 | New 0.45 mile stabilized base trail, benches, bridge, bollards |
| 40 | Palo Alto College | Walk/Jog/Nature Trail | $128,000 | $0 | New 1 mile granite trail, bridge, lights, playscape, signs, tables |
| 40 | City of Pleasanton | Atascosa River Trail | $93,600 | $0 | New 0.71 mile sealcoat trail, benches, lighting, signs, bollards |
| 38 | Northwest Vista College | Northwest Vista College Community Tr. | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.76 mile stabilized limestone trail, kiosk, fountain, benches |
| 38 | City of Princeton | Ticky Creek Trail | $180,000 | $0 | New 1.2 mile, 6' wide concrete trail, bridge, benches, bike racks |
| 38 | University of Texas — Pan America | Edinburg Exercise & Recreational Tr. | $196,674 | $0 | New 2.23 mile granite trail, benches, shade struct., water, signs |
| 37 | Brazoria County | Buffalo Camp Park Trail Restoration | $17,826 | $0 | Renovate 0.23 mile asphalt trail, signs |
| 35 | City of Odessa | Sherwood Park Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.33 mile concrete trail, signing, lighting |
| 34 | City of Allen | Dayspring Nature Preserve Trail | $163,378 | $0 | New 0.75 mile granite trail, tables, benches, fencing, signs |
| 34 | Harris County WCID # 96 | Sleepy Hollow Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 2.14 mile concrete trail, signs, benches, trash barrels |
| 34 | Medina Valley Mud and Fun | Dunlay Trails | $40,000 | $0 | Fencing, restroom, signing |
| 33 | City of Greenville | Long Branch Trail | $199,890 | $0 | Renovate 0.85 mile granite trail, lighting, bridges, trailhead, benches |
| 33 | Partnership for the Pathway | Red River Trail | $56,981 | $0 | New 0.4 mile, 10' wide asphalt trail, signs, benches, crosswalks |
| 33 | City of Wake Village | Wake Village Trails | $200,000 | $0 | New 1 mile concrete or mulch trail, parking, lighting, benches |
| 32 | Friends of the Wildlife Corridor | Public Use Enhancements | $143,105 | $0 | New 1.25 miles trail at various sites, restrooms, signs, viewing areas |
| 32 | City of San Antonio | Panther Springs Trail | $88,125 | $0 | New 0.87 mile aggregate trail, signing |
| 32 | Westchase District | Liberty Loop Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.25 mile trail, rest stops, signing, lighting, trash barrels |
| 30 | City of Celina | West Park at Light Farms | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.09 mile concrete trail, bridges, professional services |
| 30 | Sienna Plantation Com. Services | Sienna Plantation Levee Trail, Ph. II | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.35 mile, 8' wide granite trail, benches, signs |
| 28 | City of Amarillo | John Stiff Park — McDonald Lake Tr. | $119,540 | $0 | New 0.55 mile concrete trail, drainage impr., signs |
| 28 | City of Houston | Cullen Park Trail Connector | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.53 mile, 10' wide concrete trail, benches, signs |
| 28 | City of Missouri City | Community Park Trail System | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.49 mile concrete trail, signing, seating nodes, bike rack |
| 28 | City of Tyler | South Tyler Trails | $196,000 | $0 | New 1 mile concrete trail, retaining walls, prof. fees, res. surveys |
| 27 | City of Brownwood | Camp Bowie Walking Trail | $144,000 | $0 | New 1.1 mile asphalt trail, signs, benches, crosswalk |
| 27 | Cypress Point Comm. Association | Cypress Point Trails | $133,912 | $0 | New 1.29 mile concrete trail, bridge, benches, bollards |
| 26 | City of Henderson | Lake Forest Park | $171,136 | $0 | New 0.62 mile concrete trail, lighting, boardwalk, resource survey |
| 25 | City of Cleburne | Lake Pat Cleburne Trail System | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.99 mile concrete trail |
| 25 | City of Cross Plains | Treadaway Park Trail Improvements | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.38 mile concrete trail, pavilion, bridge, restroom, signs |
| 25 | City of Denton | Cooper Creek Trail & Bridge Upgrades | $189,000 | $0 | New 0.51 mile concrete trail, bridge, signing |
| 25 | City of Mercedes | Collier Complex Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.63 mile granite trail, tables, shade struct., lighting, benches |
| 24 | City of Kemp | Kemp Parks and Trails | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.1 mile granite trail, bridge, parking, benches, restroom, lighting |
| 24 | City of McAllen | Curtis Park Trail | $188,000 | $0 | New 0.95 mile trail, signs |
| 23 | Audubon Texas | Trinity River Audubon Center | $148,137 | $0 | Renovate 1.3 mile granite trail, 384' boardwalk, signs, benches |
| 23 | Friends of the Trinity Strand Trail | Trinity Strand Stemmons Park Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.13 mile concrete connector trail |
| 23 | Zapata County | Precinct 4 Walking Trail | $100,000 | $0 | New 1.19 mile asphalt trail, lighting, signing |
| 22 | City of Farmers Branch | Mira Lago Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.46 mile concrete trail, design |
| 21 | City of Huntsville | Eastham-Thompson Park Trail | $199,714 | $0 | New 0.5 mile concrete sidewalk, restroom, parking, lighting, signs |
| 21 | City of Sudan | Sudan Greenbelt Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.32 mile concrete trail, pavilion, lighting, benches, signs |
| 20 | Schleicher County | Schleicher County Hike & Bike Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.86 mile surfaced trail, benches, signs, trash barrels |
| 19 | Galveston County MUD 44 | Tuscan Lakes Trails | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.3 mile concrete trail, signs, benches, trash barrels |
| 19 | City of Midland | Cole ATV Park | $200,000 | $0 | Parking area, restroom, utilities, fencing, signing, res. surveys |
| 19 | City of Weslaco | La Brecha del Paseo del Norte Trail | $154,096 | $0 | New 0.19 mile asphalt trail, benches, lighting, signs, water |
| 17 | City of Fairview | Oakwood — Stone Creek Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.46 mile concrete sidewalk, benches, land, signs, table |
| 15 | City of Killeen | Lion's Club Park Hike/Bike Trail | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.5 mile concrete trail, lighting, landscaping |
| 12 | Anderson County | Davey Dogwood Park Trail | $140,442 | $0 | Widen 3.5 miles of trail, restroom, signing |