State Trail Grants Awarded

Deadline for next round of applications is Sept. 1

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has awarded $2 million in State Trail Program grants to help fund 16 recreational trail projects around the state. The grants were made possible when the state opted out of the Federal Recreational Trails Program (FRTP) in 2012 so more funding would be available for the overall pool of transportation alternatives.

The department received more than $5 million in grant requests for the $2 million that was available, representing over $7.7 million in potential investments in trails and trail amenities to improve the overall quality of life for Kansans. The State Trails Program, like the FRTP, provides for an 80/20 match of approved expenses, with the local entity supplying the 20 percent. Projects must meet accessibility and environmental criteria. Sponsoring entities are also evaluated for their ability to administer the projects and their past performance in handling similar grants.

The following projects were awarded funding under the State Trails Program:

Milford Nature Center – Boardwalk Replacement, $7,576

Elk City State Park – Trail Project/Timber Road, $50,000

Prairie Spirit Trail State Park – Mini-excavator and equipment storage facility, $62,386

City of Paola – Wallace Park Trail, $51,950

Webster State Park – Coyote Trail Restoration, $10,000

Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy – Flint Hills Nature Trail, $900,000

City of Chanute – Katy Hike and Bike Trail, $56,000

City of Overland Park – Oak Park Trail Replacement, $38,640

Kaw Nation – Allegawho Project, $350,000

Pratt B-29 Museum – B-29 Museum Interpretive Trail, $31,216

USD 316 Selden – Community Walking Trail, $33,200

USD 345 Topeka-Seaman – Viking Trail, $160,000

City of Pratt – Linear Park, Green Sports Complex, $66,760

Clinton State Park – Trailside CXT (toilet), $150,000

Eisenhower State Park – West Point Shelter, $18,810

KDWPT-Kansas River Trail – Signage, maps, brochures, $13,462

The department will participate in the Federal Recreational Trails Program for federal fiscal year 2013. The application deadline is September 1, 2013. Application forms are available on the KDWPT website at http://ksoutdoors.com/news/State-Parks/Grants.