Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter:
Trey Cooksey
Action
Texas Statewide Recreational Trail Grants Funding
Recommended Approval of Trail Construction, Renovation and Acquisition Projects
May 26, 2016
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 (FHWA) 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 (FY2016); Texas’ share of these funds is $3,954,874. Seven percent of the state’s apportionment ($279,638) is utilized to cover costs to administer the program, leaving $3,675,236 to fund projects. A number of projects funded in previous years were completed under budget and three projects were cancelled, creating another $600,000 available for re-allocation this year. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has been utilizing the re-allocated funding to fund trail improvements in state parks. The result is a total of $4,275,236 of federal funding available to fund eligible trail construction projects.
The program has an annual deadline of February 1st for local sponsors to submit trail funding proposals. 73 projects were submitted for funding consideration requesting $12,577,705 in funds. Projects were evaluated and scored by the Texas Trails Advisory Board. Recommendations are to fund 22 of the projects totaling $3,538,141 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 2016 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 five (5) motorized trail projects that satisfy the 30 percent motorized trail requirement.
III. Recommendation: The staff recommends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:
"Funding for 22 projects recommended in Exhibit A in the amount of $3,538,141 and state park trail improvements in the amount of $600,000 is approved."
Commission Agenda Item No. 3
Exhibit A
|
Score |
Sponsor |
Project Name |
County |
Funds Requested |
Funds Recommended |
Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
52 |
Sam Houston Trails Coalition |
Lone Star Hiking Trail: Trailhead Renovation Project |
San Jacinto |
$50,000.00 |
$50,000.00 |
Renovate all 14 Lone Star Hiking Trail trailheads. Signage, Parking, Traffic Control Bollards, Trailhead Kiosks. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
52 |
TX Trails Education & Motorized Management |
TXTEAMM Texas OHV Safety Education |
Medina |
$34,420.00 |
$34,420.00 |
OHV Safety Courses. Vehicle / ATV / ROV Maintenance and Travel Expenses for 8 Instructors |
|
52 |
Sam Houston Trails Coalition |
Richards-Raven Trail Network – Phase III |
Montgomery |
$200,000.00 |
$200,000.00 |
New 8 mile equestrian natural surface loop trail. Bridges, Signage. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
51 |
Sam Houston National Forest |
Sam Houston Multiple Use Trail |
Walker |
$400,000.00 |
$400,000.00 |
Renovation of existing 12 miles natural surface multi-use trail. Replace/Repair bridges, Volunteer Training. Motorized and Non-Motorized. |
|
50 |
Austin PARD |
Slaughter Creek Greenbelt Equestrian Trail |
Travis |
$200,000.00 |
$200,000.00 |
New 2.4 mile equestrian / multi-use loop. Renovation of existing 3 miles. Natural surface 10’ wide. Mounting ramps and blocks, hitching posts, creek crossing, signage, corral, benches, picnic tables, trash cans, bike racks. Non-Motorized. |
|
50 |
Richardson |
Spring Creek Routh Trail |
Collin |
$175,000.00 |
$175,000.00 |
New .81 mile 10’ wide concrete trail. Retaining walls, trailheads. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
49 |
Texas Motorized Trails Coalition |
Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area |
Upshur |
$188,172.00 |
$188,172.00 |
Renovation of 31 miles of trail. Bridges, Culverts, Heavy Equipment. Motorized and Non-Motorized Multi-Use. |
|
48 |
N. Texas Rural Rail Trans. Dist. |
Wichita Valley Railway Daylight Trail Improvements |
Wichita |
$200,000.00 |
$200,000.00 |
Renovation of 6.5 mile 8’ wide rail trail. Resurface with crushed limestone. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
47 |
Texas Motorized Trails Coalition |
Escondido Draw Recreation Area (EDRA) |
Crockett |
$386,581.00 |
$386,581.00 |
Trail Restoration, Education Building, Office, Pavilion, Signage, Fencing. Motorized and Non-Motorized. Multi-Use. |
|
46 |
Cameron County PARD |
Benavides Park — Multipurpose Mountain Bike Trail |
Cameron |
$137,140.00 |
$137,140.00 |
New 2.8 mile stacked loop mountain bike & multi-use trail. Crushed rock & soil surface. Information Kiosks. Non-Motorized. |
|
45 |
Bridgeport |
Northwest Park — Motorized and Non-Motorized |
Wise |
$158,400.00 |
$158,400.00 |
Flood renovations to 8-10 mile trail network. 1.5 mile fence installation, Parking, Signage, Picnic Tables. Motorized and Non-Motorized Multi-Use. |
|
45 |
Nacogdoches |
Lanana Creek Trail North Renovations |
Nacogdoches |
$161,401.00 |
$161,401.00 |
Renovation of existing natural surface 1.1 mile trail with 6’ wide stabilized soil surface. Trailhead, parking, signage, trash cans. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
45 |
NPS — Lake Meredith NRA |
Meredith Way Trail Segment |
Hutchinson |
$162,000.00 |
$162,000.00 |
New 1.5 mile 2-3’ wide natural surface bike/ped trail with stone retaining walls. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
45 |
Revitalize Comanche, Inc. |
Native American Hiking Trail, Comanche, Texas |
Comanche |
$30,455.95 |
$30,455.95 |
Renovate existing 1.3 mile 4’ wide natural surface trail loop. Signage, Kiosk. Pedestrian only. |
|
45 |
Texarkana |
Spring Lake Park "Walk through History" Trail |
Bowie |
$130,762.00 |
$130,762.00 |
New .13 mile segment creating a loop trail, renovate existing .38 mile trail segment. Stabilized soil surface. Benches, Signage. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
44 |
Friends of Inks Lake State Park |
Devil’s Backbone Nature Trail Composting Toilet |
Burnet |
$9,605.00 |
$9,605.00 |
New composting toilet along nature trail at an existing wildlife viewing station, 1.2 miles from trailhead. Signage. Hiking Only Trail. |
|
44 |
Hutto PARD |
Hutto Gap Trails Project (BCRT Connection) |
Williamson |
$200,000.00 |
$200,000.00 |
New 1.55 mile 8’ to 10’ wide concrete trail. Bridges, benches, signage. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
44 |
Memorial Park Conservancy |
Memorial Park Natural Surface Trails Rehabilitation |
Harris |
$70,250.00 |
$70,250.00 |
Ongoing maintenance of 1 mile trail system, including causeway and boardwalk construction, armoring, resurfacing and trail markers. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
44 |
Poth |
Poth Recreational Trail |
Wilson |
$200,000.00 |
$200,000.00 |
New 2.18 mile 10’ wide crushed limestone trail along abandoned rail ROW. Drainage crossings, Parking, Signage, Bollards, Fitness Stations, benches, Canopies, Bike racks, Trash Cans, Landscape. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
43 |
Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas |
Bulverde Oaks Trail |
Bexar |
$43,953.97 |
$43,953.97 |
New 1 mile, 3-4’ wide natural surface/ mulched trail. Trail tools. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
43 |
Longview |
City of Longview Nature Center and Arboretum Trails |
Gregg |
$200,000.00 |
$200,000.00 |
New .78 mile (.70 miles of 8’-10’ wide concrete & 340’ natural surface). 70’ Boardwalk, Bridges, Benches, Signage. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
43 |
Travis County |
Onion Creek Confluence Trail |
Travis |
$200,000.00 |
$200,000.00 |
New .57 mile, 12’ wide concrete trail. Trailhead, directional and interpretive signage. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
42 |
Liberty |
City of Liberty Municipal Park Walking Trail |
Liberty |
$170,134.00 |
$0 |
Renovate existing asphalt 2 mile trail with new asphalt surface, benches, water fountains, signage, kiosk, trash cans. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
42 |
Los Fresnos |
Los Fresnos Hike & Bike Trail |
Cameron |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New 1.09 mile 10’ wide asphalt trail. Bridge. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
39 |
Greenbelt Alliance of Denton County |
Lake Ray Roberts Equestrian Trails |
Denton |
$47,265.00 |
$0 |
Trail Restoration and amenities for 26 mile equestrian / multi-use trail system. Corrals, watering station, shade cover, culvert. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
38 |
Viridian Municipal Management Dist. |
Viridian — River Legacy Connector Trail |
Tarrant |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .62 mile 12’ wide concrete trail. Bridge, Benches, Trash cans, dog stations, bike racks, kiosk, signage. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
37 |
Crandall |
Buffalo Creek Linear Park |
Kaufman |
$195,000.00 |
$0 |
New 1.71 mile 8’ wide concrete trail. Bridges, Culverts, Benches, Retaining Walls. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
37 |
Eastland |
City of Eastland Park Hill Recreational Trails |
Eastland |
$158,000.00 |
$0 |
New .47 mile "ADA" trail and renovation of .36 miles. Parking, Trailhead Pavilion, Water Fountain, Benches, Dog Stations, Picnic Tables. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
36 |
Chandler |
City of Chandler Recreational Trail |
Henderson |
$182,798.55 |
$0 |
New .82 mile, 6’ wide concrete trail to close existing loop. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
36 |
Hale Center |
City of Hale Center Caudle Lake Nature Trail |
Hale |
$153,082.00 |
$0 |
New .47 mile concrete trail 4’ to 6’ wide. 2 steel / concrete bridges, 95’ and 30’. Restroom, benches and trees. Multi-Use Non-Motorized |
|
36 |
Willow Waterhole Greenspace Cons. |
Triangle Trail Completion at The Willow Waterhole |
Harris |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .27 mile 8’ wide concrete nature trail. Benches, trash cans, landscape, bike racks, signage, picnic tables. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
35 |
Mineola |
Lake Country Rails to Trails (I&GN Trail-Phase I) |
Wood |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .44 mile 12’ wide, crusher fine trail. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
35 |
New Braunfels PARD |
Solms Park Recreation Trail |
Comal |
$114,137.60 |
$0 |
Renovation of asphalt .38 mile loop with 6’ wide concrete surface. Drainage features, benches, trash cans, landscape. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
35 |
Timber Lane Utility District |
Cypress Creek Hike and Bike Trail |
Harris |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .65 mile 10’ wide asphalt trail with 75’ bridge. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
34 |
Fort Bend County MUD No. 23 |
Fort Bend County MUD No. 23 Hike and Bike Trails |
Fort Bend |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New 1.19 mile 6’ wide concrete trail. Fitness Stations, Benches, Bike racks, Signage, Erosion Control. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
33 |
Dallas |
Runyon Creek Trail |
Dallas |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New 2.75 mile 14’ wide concrete trail. Pet station, Overlook, Trash Cans, Drinking Fountains, Bicycle Fix Stations, Signage. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
32 |
Converse |
Converse North Park Recreational Trail |
Bexar |
$75,000.00 |
$0 |
New .5 mile 9’ wide concrete trail. Signage, Benches. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
29 |
Sachse |
Sachse Highline Hike and Bike Trail |
Dallas |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New 1 mile 10’ wide concrete trail with parking area, benches, trash cans, drinking fountain, bridge. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
28 |
Flower Mound |
Rheudasil Park Multi-Use Trail and Amenities |
Denton |
$82,000.00 |
$0 |
Renovation of existing .16 mile, 4’ trail. Replace with 8’ wide trail. Erosion control, grill, tables, signage, memorial plaque, trash cans, security lighting. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
27 |
Carrollton PARD |
Carrollton Recreational Trails |
Denton |
$80,466.80 |
$0 |
Amenities for 9.61 mile 10’ wide concrete trail network. Drinking Fountains, signage, bike repair stations, shade structures, benches. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
27 |
Carthage |
City of Carthage Walking Trail |
Panola |
$193,088.00 |
$0 |
New 1.3 mile 6’ wide concrete trail. Shaded rest station, drinking fountain, park bench. Multi-Use Non-Motorized |
|
27 |
Cedar Park |
Cedar Park Town Center Trail |
Williamson |
$195,457.86 |
$0 |
New .45 mile 6’-10’ wide concrete trail (incl. renovation of existing dg trail with concrete surface). Signage, Dog stations. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
27 |
Little Elm |
FM 423 East Trail |
Denton |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .66 mile 10’ wide concrete trail. 50’ Bridge, Erosion Control. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
26 |
Haslet |
Haslet Central Park Recreation Trail |
Tarrant |
$183,410.00 |
$0 |
New .55 mile 6’ wide concrete loop trail. Trail Lighting, Rest Stations, Water Fountains, Benches, Fitness Stations. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
26 |
San Diego ISD |
SDISD Nature & Fitness Trail — Phase II Extension |
Duval |
$196,744.00 |
$0 |
New .41 mile, 6’ wide crushed limestone trail extension with trail lighting, benches, bike racks, drinking fountains, signage, trash receptacles. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
24 |
Brownsville |
Brownsville Historic Battlefield Trail (HBT) |
Cameron |
$199,368.00 |
$0 |
Renovation of existing asphalt 1.13 mile trail with photo luminescent aggregate concrete surface. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
23 |
Waxahachie |
Little Creek Trail |
Ellis |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New 1.8 mile 10’ wide concrete trail. Low water crossings, Signage, Exercise Stations. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
21 |
Aransas County |
Aransas Pathways Southern Trail |
Aransas |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .59 mile 6’ wide concrete nature trail, signage, trash cans, dog stations, parking. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
21 |
Omaha |
Omaha City Park Trail |
Morris |
$104,286.99 |
$0 |
New .39 mile 6’ wide concrete trail, trash cans, rest station / benches, drinking fountain, lighting, fitness station. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
21 |
Sanger |
Porter Park Trail Linkage |
Denton |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .83 mile 10’ wide concrete trail extension. 2 low water crossings, 10 space parking lot, trail/parking lighting, trail signage. Multi-Use Non-Motorized |
|
21 |
Shallowater |
Young City Park Trail |
Lubbock |
$199,899.00 |
$0 |
New .67 mile, 6’ wide concrete trail. Shade structure, park bench, drinking fountain, fitness station (2 workout towers, 3 stations per tower), trail lighting, Parking lot and access road. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
20 |
Athens |
City of Athens Recreational Trail-Cain Park |
Henderson |
$174,047.42 |
$0 |
Renovation of existing 10’ wide asphalt .57 mile trail with new asphalt surface. Trail Lighting. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
20 |
Cedar Hill |
FM-1382 Hike and Bike Trail Ph. II |
Dallas |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New 2 mile 12’ wide concrete trail. Erosion Control, Landscape. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
20 |
El Campo |
Legacy Fields Trail |
Wharton |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New 1.32 mile 8’ wide decomposed granite loop trail. Retaining wall, Signage, lighting, fitness stations. Pedestrian and ADA only. |
|
20 |
Hewitt |
Warren Park/Glaze Park Walking Trail |
McLennan |
$188,800.00 |
$0 |
New 1.25 mile 5’ wide concrete loop trail. Benches, Landscape. Pedestrian and ADA only. |
|
20 |
Lubbock Roots Historical Arts Council |
East Lubbock Historic East End Gateway Trail |
Lubbock |
$63,329.00 |
$0 |
New .57 mile trail. ADA parking lot. Pedestrian and ADA only. |
|
19 |
Alvin Community College |
Alvin Community College Trails Grant Initiative |
Brazoria |
$199,805.00 |
$0 |
Resurface 2 mile, 8’ wide asphalt trail. Install Solar trailhead lighting, trail signage, rest areas, emergency call stations, planting and bird attractions. Multi-use Non-Motorized. |
|
19 |
Laredo |
Merida Hike and Bike Trail, Phase II |
Webb |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .76 mile 10’ wide concrete trail. Exercise Stations, Signage. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
19 |
Winnsboro |
Martin Luther King Perimeter |
Wood |
$16,640.00 |
$0 |
New .14 mile 5’ wide decomposed granite trail. Fitness station. Pedestrian only. |
|
18 |
YMCA of Austin |
YMCA of Austin Camp Cypress |
Hays |
$197,798.00 |
$0 |
New 5.5 mile 5’ wide unknown surface loop trail. Restroom, Parking, Signage, Fencing, Benches, Picnic Tables, Lighting, Tool Storage. Pedestrian and ADA only, Non-Motorized. |
|
17 |
Gun Barrel |
City of Gun Barrel Silverleaf Trail |
Henderson |
$84,604.80 |
$0 |
New .17 mile 6’ wide concrete trail. Bridges, Landscape, Picnic Tables, Signage, Benches, Trash Cans. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
17 |
Northwest Harris County MUD No. 24 |
Ashcreek Community Trail |
Harris |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .44 mile 8’ wide concrete trail, signage, landscape, security lighting, benches, trash cans, dog stations. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
17 |
Salado |
Village of Salado Recreational Hike and Bike Trail |
Bell |
$199,062.00 |
$0 |
New 1/3 mile, 10’ wide concrete trail. Park benches, trash receptacle, dog waste collection stations. Multi-Use Non-Motorized |
|
16 |
Edcouch Elsa ISD and City of Elsa |
Elsa Edcouch ISD — Elsa Hike and Bike Trail |
Hidalgo |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New 1/2 mile, 8 to10 foot wide granite trail. Drinking fountains, landscaping, canopied rest areas, signage, and lighting. Multi-Use, Non-Motorized. |
|
16 |
Texas Forestry Museum |
Urban Wildscape Trail |
Angelina |
$43,146.00 |
$0 |
Renovation of existing .66 mile loop trail system. (.1 mile concrete, .53 mile natural surface). Trailheads, Signage, Lighting, Benches, Outdoor Classroom. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
16 |
Tres Lagos Public Improvement Dist. |
Tres Lagos Trail System |
Hidalgo |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New 1.5 mile 10’ wide asphalt trail. Landscape, Benches, Trash Cans, Drinking Fountains, Dog stations, Exercise stations. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
16 |
Whiteface CISD |
Whiteface Community Park & Fitness Trail |
Cochran |
$147,072.00 |
$0 |
New.25 mile, 5’ wide concrete trail. Exercise stations, trees, benches, climbing rocks, sprinkler system. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
14 |
Trail of the Lakes MUD |
Clayton’s Park Trail |
Harris |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .51 mile 5 to 8 foot wide concrete trail loop, signage, landscape, security lighting, benches, trash can, dog stations. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
11 |
Lake Wichita Friends of Reservoirs |
Lake Wichita- Pedestrian Trail and Amenities |
Wichita |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
New .32 mile 10’ wide concrete trail. Fishing Jetties, Bank Stabilization, Benches, and Bike racks. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
9 |
South Padre Island |
S. Padre Island Causeway Boardwalk Renovation |
Cameron |
$200,000.00 |
$0 |
Renovation of existing .18 mile boardwalk at Queen Isabella Causeway. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
0 |
Elsa Economic Development Corp |
Delta Linear Park Trail |
Hidalgo |
$595,121.76 |
$0 |
New 1 mile asphalt and natural surface trails. Culverts, lighting, signage, landscape, parking, water fountains. Multi-Use Motorized and Non-Motorized. |
|
0 |
Friends of Forest Hill Library |
Friends of Forest Hill Library Literary Trails |
Tarrant |
$400,000.00 |
$0 |
New 1.5 mile, 10’ wide concrete trail. Benches, trash cans, bike racks, lighting, signage, drinking fountain, emergency phones, picnic, fitness, amphitheater, water playground. Multi-Use Non-Motorized. |
|
Total Requests = |
$12,577,705 |
|||||
|
Total Recommended = |
$3,538,141 |
|||||
** Bold = Motorized Request