Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Presenter:
Tim Hogsett
Action
Recreation Trails Grant Funding
May 21, 2015
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 Committee.
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 NRTF 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 (FY2015). However, funding for the program is included in the Transportation Funding Bill which Congress has funded through May 15, 2015, making only 67 percent of the annual apportionment available to states at present. Currently, Texas’ share of these funds is $2,659,566. Seven percent of the state’s apportionment ($186,170) is utilized to cover costs to administer the program, leaving $2,473,396 to fund projects. A number of projects funded in previous years were completed under budget and two projects were canceled, creating another $600,000 available for re-allocation this year. The Department has been utilizing the re-allocated funding to fund trail improvements in state parks. The result is a total of $3,073,396 of federal funding available to fund eligible trail construction projects.
The program has an annual deadline of February 1 for local sponsors to submit trail funding proposals. 78 projects were submitted for funding consideration requesting $11,909,111 in funds. Projects were evaluated and scored by the Texas Trails Advisory Board. Recommendations are to fund 17 of the projects totaling $2,376,733 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 nine member Texas Statewide Trails Advisory Committee met in March 2015 to review the submitted trail project proposals and develop a list of recommended projects for funding. Each project was reviewed by the advisory committee 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, project scoring and funding recommendations made by the advisory committee and a description of each project.
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. Because few public park entities in Texas provide opportunities for motorized trail riding, it is typically difficult to generate enough motorized trail proposals to meet the 30 percent motorized trail mandate. As such, the grant funding limit for motorized proposals is $400,000 per project versus $200,000 for non-motorized proposals. Funding recommendations in Exhibit A include 3 motorized trail projects that satisfy the 30 percent motorized trail requirement.
It is anticipated that Congress will authorize transportation funding for the entire fiscal year through another continuing resolution or passage of a multi-year funding legislation. Assuming funding formulas are not altered, this would result in an additional $1,201,840 appropriated to the state for the program. While the uncertainty regarding federal funding levels for the program has been drawn out in recent years, once the funding is authorized there is a short time frame to obligate funding to eligible projects. For this reason, the Commission is being asked to approve funding of additional projects based upon their score, contingent on additional funding being approved by Congress.
III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:
"Funding for 17 projects recommended in Exhibit A in the amount of $2,376,733 and state park trail improvements in the amount of $600,000 is approved. In addition, upon receipt of the anticipated 33 percent of the annual National Recreational Trail Fund apportionment the next 8 projects in priority order as shown in Exhibit A are contingently approved. "
Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit A
| Score | Sponsor | Project Name | County | Funds Requested | Funds Recommended | Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Cooper Spring Nature Park Foundation | Cooper Spring Nature Park Recreational Trails | Lampasas | $69,596 | $69,596 | New 1.9 mile accessible trail, bridge, signs |
| 51 | Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill | Flowering Dogwood Trail and Observation Tower | Dallas | $43,120 | $43,120 | New 1.0 mile trail, signs, interpretive/educational signs, observation deck, benches, bridges |
| 48 | Eaton Hill Nature Center | Trail Rejuvenation for Easton Hill Nature Center | Sutton | $24,560 | $24,560 | Trail Amenities: trail head kiosk, Interpretive signs, signs |
| 47 | Brazos Valley Mountain Bike Association (BVMBA) | Lake Bryan Trail System Rehabilitation and Expansion | Brazos | $20,000 | $20,000 | Renovate 23 mile trail, new 2.0 mile trail, signage, tools, equipment |
| 47 | Mountain Creek Community Church with DORBA | Big Cedar Pavilion/ Wounded Warriors Trail | Dallas | $130,000 | $130,000 | New 1.5 mile trail & renovate 1.0 mile of existing trail, pavilion, restroom, accessible, signs, bridges, parking, water fountain, bike rack, fire hydrant |
| 46 | Texas Motorized Trails Coalition | Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area | Upshur | $188,172 | $188,172 | New 5.0 mile OHV trail & renovate 15.0 mile of existing OHV trail, education/safety training building, vehicle wash, signs |
| 45 | White River Municipal Water District | White River Reservoir Multi-Use Trail System | Crosby | $381,616 | $381,616 | New 15.0 mile OHV trail, renovate 10.0 mile existing trail, fencing, entrance road, signs, equipment, construction management |
| 44 | City of Baytown, Parks and Recreation Department | Cary Bayou Trail Phase III | Harris | $44,044 | $44,044 | New 0.75 mile decomposed granite trail, culvert, signage, trash cans, benches, |
| 44 | City of Denison | Waterloo Lake Regional Park-Trail Improvements | Grayson | $200,000 | $200,000 | Renovation of existing trails and new 0.5 mile concrete trail, retaining walls, parking lot repair, signs, bridges |
| 44 | Texas Motorized Trails Coalition | Escondido Draw Recreation Area (EDRA) | Crockett | $386,581 | $386,581 | Renovate 110 miles of existing trail, restroom, education/safety training building, signs, water treatment system, electric power, lights |
| 43 | Sam Houston Trails Coalition, Inc. (SHTC) | Lone Star Hiking Trail: San Jacinto River Bridge Project | San Jacinto | $200,000 | $200,000 | New Bridge & Renovate 2.0 miles of existing trails, renovate trail bridge including abutments, resource surveys |
| 42 | Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuges | Bobcat Woods Trail Extension | Brazoria | $160,000 | $160,000 | Repair 0.2 mile trail & new 0.65 mile, signs, benches, restore a water well, observation platform, support structure |
| 41 | City of DeSoto | DeSoto Ranch Park-Nature Trail | Dallas | $200,000 | $200,000 | New 1.5 mile trail, signs, bridge, boardwalk, benches, bicycle station, parking lot, trash cans |
| 40 | Jim Wells County | Tecolote Trails | Jim Wells | $52,544 | $52,544 | Trail Amenities: trailside restrooms, trail tool storage building, water fountains, lighting, fitness stations, fencing, pavilion |
| 40 | Tyler County Heritage Society | Big Woods Trail | Tyler | $18,720 | $18,720 | Renovate 0.8 mile trail existing trail, signs, erosion control, bridge repair, benches & picnic tables, trailhead kiosk |
| 39 | North Texas Rural Rail Transportation District | Wichita Valley Railway Daylight Trail Improvements | Archer/Wichita | $199,680 | $199,680 | Renovate 6.5 miles of rail trail with improved surfacing (limestone chat). |
| 39 | The Frontera Land Alliance | Resler Canyon Nature Preserve, New Urban Trail | El Paso | $58,100 | $58,100 | New 0.5 trail, signs, benches, viewing platform, hand tools, equipment |
| 38 | City of Sulphur Springs | Crosstown Trail | Hopkins | $199,465 | ** $199,465 | New 0.52 mile concrete trail, erosion control, benches, trash cans, bridge, signs, culverts |
| 38 | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas - Austin | Research Trail Improvement | Travis | $47,155 | ** $47,155 | Renovate 0.9 mile existing trail, signs, interpretive signs, erosion control, ADA ramps |
| 38 | Nat'l Park Service-Lake Meredith Nat'l Recreation Area | Fritch Fortress Trail | Hutchinson | $162,240 | ** $162,240 | New 3.38 mile trail, erosion control, signs |
| 38 | Texas A&M University-Texarkana | Bringle Lake Trail-Phase 2 Renovation | Bowie | $199,500 | ** $199,500 | Renovate 2.5 miles of trail with soil-cement mixture to make it accessible, benches, signs |
| 37 | City of Fort Worth | Arcadia Trail Park South-Trail Extension | Tarrant | $131,264 | ** $131,264 | New 0.1 mile concrete trail, bridge, signs |
| 37 | Robertson Colony-Salado College Foundation | Salado College Park Trail | Bell | $14,159 | ** $14,159 | New 0.08 mile decomposed granite trail, ADA parking, signs |
| 36 | City of Deer Park | North East Hike and Bike Trail | Harris | $200,000 | ** $200,000 | New 2.6 mile decomposed granite trail, signs, trailheads, benches, water fountains, bike racks |
| 36 | Coke Countywide Economic Development Group | Coke County OHV Park | Coke | $399,818 | ** $229,818 | New 12.0 miles OHV trail & renovate existing 5.0 miles OHV trail, parking area, signage, restroom, fencing |
| 35 | City of Crandall | Buffalo Creek Linear Park | Kaufman | $195,000 | $0 | New 1.7 mile concrete trail, bridges, benches, accessible ramps, culverts |
| 35 | City of Ennis | Ennis Lake Clark Recreational Trail | Ellis | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.85 mile concrete trail, erosion control, benches and trash receptacles, signs |
| 35 | City of Forney Parks and Recreation | Spellman 43 Acre Amphitheater-Trail Project | Kaufman | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.0 mile concrete trail, bridges, benches, signs, erosion control, lighting |
| 35 | City of Leander | Leander Blockhouse Creek Trail Extension | Williamson | $120,000 | $0 | New 0.54 mile concrete trail, trail head kiosk and signs |
| 34 | City of Kilgore | Kilgore Trail 2015 (Phase 3) | Rusk | $198,355 | $0 | New 0.53 mile concrete trail, erosion control, benches with trash cans, signs |
| 32 | City of Palestine | Reagan Park Recreational Trail | Anderson | $137,587 | $0 | New 0.5 mile concrete trail, erosion control, signs, benches, trash cans |
| 32 | Near Northwest Management District | White Oak Trail Connector | Harris | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.8 mile concrete trail, tree protection fencing, culverts |
| 30 | City of Los Fresnos | Los Fresnos Hike & Bike Trail | Cameron | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.75 mile asphalt trail, signs, accessible ramps |
| 30 | City of Rusk | Rusk Recreational Trails-Phase 2 | Cherokee | $170,463 | $0 | New 0.4 mile asphalt trail, renovate 0.7 mile of existing trail, erosion control, trash cans, benches, signs |
| 30 | Comal County, Texas | Kleck Park | Comal | $32,400 | $0 | New 1.35 mile trail, equipment rental, signs |
| 30 | Town of Little Elm | Panther Creek Segment II | Denton | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.75 mile concrete trail, ADA access, signs, boardwalk, observation deck, benches, trash cans, bike racks |
| 30 | Town of Prosper | Cockrell Park | Collin | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.9 mile concrete trail, erosion control, signs, bridge, resource surveys |
| 29 | City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department | Slaughter Creek Greenbelt Equestrian Trail | Travis | $200,000 | $0 | New 2.1 mile trail, renovation of existing trail, signage, parking, landscape, benches, access ramps, corral & fence repair, trailhead amenities |
| 29 | City of Harlingen | 25th Street Hike and Bike Trail Expansion | Cameron | $179,247 | $0 | New 1.0 mile decomposed granite trail, renovation of existing trail, signs, accessible ramps, security lighting |
| 29 | City of Wake Village | Wake Village Trail System | Bowie | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.85 mile stabilized decomposed granite trail, signs, trailhead, benches, trash receptacles, erosion control, parking lot |
| 28 | Westchase Management District | Center Point Trail | Harris | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.62 mile concrete trail, signs, parking lot, drainage, ADA ramps, fencing, fitness stations |
| 27 | City of Carthage | City of Carthage City Park | Panola | $191,103 | $0 | New 1.3 mile concrete trail, signage, benches, fitness station, water fountain, entrance/ rest station, |
| 27 | City of Everman | Pittman Park Renovation | Tarrant | $134,136 | $0 | Renovation of 1.0 mile trail, signs, entrance/rest station, water fountain |
| 27 | City of Normangee | Normangee City Park | Leon | $37,421 | $0 | New 0.21 mile concrete trail, shade shelters, picnic tables, benches, signs |
| 27 | City of Terrell | City of Terrell Recreational Trail | Kaufman | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.1 mile decomposed granite trail, New 1.5 mile natural surface trail, signs, benches, culverts, bridges |
| 27 | Harris County Municipal Utility District No 43 | Multi-Use Trail | Harris | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.07 mile decomposed granite trail, concrete curb, signs, benches and trash cans, erosion control, accessible ramps, equestrian hitching posts, |
| 26 | City of El Campo | Legacy Fields Trail | Wharton | $153,616 | $0 | New 1.3 mile decomposed granite trail, signs. |
| 26 | City of Falfurrias | Falfurrias Trail System | Brooks | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.04 mile asphalt trail, signs, benches, water fountains |
| 26 | City of Nacogdoches | Lanana Creek Trail Project | Nacogdoches | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.46 mile stabilized soil trail, erosion control, stream crossings, signs, parking lot, trash cans |
| 24 | County of Jefferson | Jefferson County Texas Willow Marsh Bayou Paddling Trail Launch | Jefferson | $63,961 | $0 | New 4.0 mile paddling trail, ADA ramps, kayak/canoe launch and take out facilities, concrete curbs, signs, environmental survey |
| 24 | Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 23 | Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 23 Trail | Fort Bend | $199,976 | $0 | New 1.14 mile concrete trail, signs, ADA ramps, crosswalks |
| 23 | City of Grand Saline | William B Persons Park-Recreational Trail | Van Zandt | $145,360 | $0 | New 0.72 mile asphalt trail, erosion control, benches, trash cans, signs, parking lot |
| 23 | City of Mansfield | Walnut Creek Linear Park Phase II | Tarrant | $200,000 | $0 | New 3.05 mile concrete trail, foot bridge, signs, erosion control |
| 23 | City of McAllen | Morris Park Trail Development | Hidalgo | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.75 mile decomposed granite trail, signs, handicap ramps, lighting, seating/pullouts, |
| 23 | City of Sachse | Sachse Highline Hike and Bike Trail | Dallas | $194,644 | $0 | New 0.72 mile concrete trail |
| 23 | Lubbock Roots Historical Arts Council | The Scenic East Lubbock Gateway Walking Trail | Lubbock | $53,426 | $0 | New 0.87 mile trail, signs, benches, fencing |
| 22 | City of Cleveland | Cleveland Municipal Park Trail | Liberty | $159,138 | $0 | New 0.5 mile decomposed granite trail, signage, bridges, benches, |
| 21 | City of Eastland | Park Hill Recreation Trails System | Eastland | $194,806 | $0 | Renovation of existing trails, new 0.5 mile trail, signs, parking lots, pavilion, restroom, solar lighting system, |
| 21 | City of Harlingen | Harlingen Hometown Heroes Trail Expansion | Cameron | $200,000 | $0 | New 1.13 mile decomposed granite trail, renovation of existing trail, parking lot, trailhead, signs, bridges, benches, trash cans, bird blind repair |
| 21 | City of Liberty | City of Liberty Municipal Park Walking Trail | Liberty | $97,155 | $0 | Renovate existing 2.0 mile asphalt trail, signs, water fountain, benches, trash cans |
| 21 | City of Mission | Mission Hike and Bike Trail Extension Bridge | Hidalgo | $105,600 | $0 | 50' long Foot bridge, embankments, erosion control |
| 21 | City of Nocona | Blue Mound Park | Montague | $163,736 | $0 | New 0.72 mile concrete trail, shade shelters, water fountain, fitness station, lighting, benches, signs |
| 21 | City of Whitehouse | Gardenview Park Recreational Trail | Smith | $101,888 | $0 | New 0.38 mile concrete trail, erosion control, culverts, benches, trash cans, signs |
| 19 | Village of Vinton | Vinton Hills Trail | El Paso | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.48 mile concrete trail, signs, benches, water fountain |
| 18 | City of Omaha | Omaha City Park | Morris | $104,287 | $0 | New 0.38 mile concrete trail, shade shelters, water fountain, fitness station, lighting, benches, signs, trash cans |
| 18 | San Jacinto Battleground Conservancy | Trails through Texas History | Harris | $144,060 | $0 | New 0.9 mile trails, signs, bridges, resource surveys, Conservation Intern |
| 18 | Zavala County | Batesville Leona Park Trail | Zavala | $107,520 | $0 | New 0.5 mile asphalt trail, signs, fitness stations, benches, metal edging, trash cans |
| 17 | City of Cedar Hill | Lake Ridge Parkway Hike and Bike Trail | Dallas | $80,767 | $0 | Trail amenities ,Bike Racks, signs, trailhead kiosk, crosswalk signs, 911 signs, benches |
| 17 | City of Elkhart | Elkhart City Park | Anderson | $107,914 | $0 | New 0.4 mile concrete trail, trail shade shelter, lighting, water fountain, signs, fitness station, benches |
| 17 | City of Floresville | Floresville Trail Improvements | Wilson | $196,962 | $0 | Renovation of existing 1.22 mile trail, restroom, signs, benches, trash cans |
| 17 | City of Waxahachie | MKT Trestle Renovation and Trail Connection | Ellis | $200,000 | $0 | New 0.38 mile decomposed granite trail, trestle bridge renovation, signs |
| 16 | City of Gun Barrel | Silver leaf Trail | Henderson | $84,605 | $0 | New 0.17 mile concrete trail, bridges, benches, shade shelters, trash cans, signs |
| 15 | City of Rio Grande City | Fordyce Hike and Bike Trails | Starr | $200,000 | $0 | Renovate 5.6 mile of existing trail, parking lot, restroom, signs, accessible river overlooks |
| 13 | Jim Wells County | Rancho Alegre Walking Trail and Healthy Living | Jim Wells | $159,447 | $0 | New 0.33 mile decomposed granite trail, sign, playground equipment, fencing, restrooms, exercise stations |
| 12 | City of Mount Vernon | Little Creek Park Walking Trail | Franklin | $124,039 | $0 | New 0.33 mile concrete trail, bridge, water fountain, benches, shade shelter, fitness station, signs, trash receptacles, lighting, |
| 12 | City of Weatherford, Texas | Town Creek Hike and Bike Trail Expansion | Parker | $200,000 | $0 | Trail amenities: Trail head restroom, parking lot and restrooms, lighting |
| 11 | City of Corrigan | Corrigan City Park | Polk | $40,158 | $0 | New 0.17 mile concrete trail, signs, landscape, fitness stations, water fountain |
| Total Requests | $11,909,111 | |||||
| Total Recommended | $2,376,733 | |||||
- Bold = Motorized Request
- ** = Contingently Funded