FORT WORTH < The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Aug. 27 approved approximately $3 million for 25 National Recreational Trail Grant projects across the state.
The National Recreational Trails Fund comes from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by the sale of gasoline for use in off-road recreational vehicles such as dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles. Money from the trail fund goes toward the creation and maintenance of motorized and non-motorized recreational trails.
The Federal Highway Administration manages the fund and distributes portions of it to states based on a formula that takes into account the state1s population and fuel sales for off-road vehicles.
The program provides 80-20 matching grants, so that each case the grant recipient must pay for 20 percent of the total project cost. Dollar amounts shown below are 80 percent of the project cost.
The Texas Statewide Trails Advisory Board reviewed the proposals and developed a list of recommended projects for funding based on the quality of the project, its cost effectiveness, its impact on recreational trail opportunities and geographic distribution of funds.
List of funded trail-construction projects by county:
Archer County < North Texas Rural Rail Transportation received $33,641 to improve drainage on a 6-mile trail, parking, benches and signs that are all a part of the Wichita Valley Railway Daylight Trail project.
Brazoria County < The Friends of Brazoria Wildlife Refuge received $200,000 for the Dow Woods trail project. The provided funds will go towards a 1.7 mile granite trail, bridge, restroom, parking, benches and signs.
Childress County < The City of Childress received $239,908 to expand the Childress ATV & Moto Park. The funds will also pay for parking, equipment and water improvements.
Collin County < The City of Parker received $137,325 for improvements to the Preserve Recreation Trail project. The funds will pay for a new 0.8 mile, 8-foot-wide granite trail, a bridge and a low-water crossing.
Crockett County < The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition received $217,325 for new restrooms, equipment storage building, signs and equipment at the Escondido Draw Recreation Area for off-highway vehicles.
Dallam County < The City of Dalhart received $97,500 for improvements to the6.71 mile Lake Rita Blanca Trail.
Denton County < The Town of Trophy Club received $144,000 for parking improvements, fencing, signs and shade structures for the Trophy Club OHV Park project.
Fayette County < The City of Flatonia received $142,656 for a new 0.75 mile granite trail, tables, benches, lighting and signing for the Downtown Flatonia Parks Trail project.
Harris County < The Armand Bayou Nature Center received $112,996 for renovating trails damaged by Hurricane Ike. Funds will go towards the re-surfacing of 3 miles of trailing and improving signs.
Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition received $97,370 for a new 0.86 mile granite and concrete trail and engineering for the Ida Gaye Gardens & Trail project.
The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center received $196,105 for the second phase of the Outer Loop Resurfacing. The project consists of resurfacing a1.25 mile trail and implementing signs.
The Timber Lane Utility District received $170,960 for a new 0.6 mile asphalt trail, bridges, signs and engineering projects for the Cypress Creek Hike and Bike Trail project.
The Rio Bravo MX received $40,000 for new bridges, a restroom, and parking for the Rio Bravo Improvements project.
Jeff Davis County < The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute received$36,518 for a new 0.38 mile trail as part of the Trail to the Top project.The funding will also renovate an existing 0.28 mile natural surface trail and improve signs.
Lamar County < The City of Reno received $87,174 for a new 0.5 mile asphalt rail-trail, signs and bridge railing to extend the Trail de Paris into Reno.
McLennan County < The Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association received $77,220 for the Waco Lake Reynold1s Creek Trailhead project. Funds will go towards improvements to the parking area, and the construction of a new pavilion, corrals, signs and lights.
Montgomery County < Oak Ridge Forest HOA received $41,421 for a new 0.86mile granite trail, fencing and ADA ramps for the Spring Creek Hike and Bike Trail project.
Robertson County < Roll Call Friends of Camp Hearne received $145,520for the Camp Hearne Trail project. The provided funds will help construct a new 2.32 mil granite trail, restrooms, a gazebo and benches.
Statewide < The Texas Trail Network received $20,000 to conduct the 2010 and2011 Texas State Trails Conference.
Sutton County < Sonora Economic Development Corporation received $16,160 for a new 0.27 mile granite trail and parking to improve public access to The Eaton Hill Wildlife Sanctuary.
Tarrant County < The City of Arlington received $128,000 for a new .8 mile long, 81 wide limestone trail, bridges and signs for the Crystal Canyon Nature Preserve Trail project.
Tom Green County < The City of San Angelo received $200,000 for a new .62mile limestone trail and for renovations of .96 miles to the Rio Concho Trail.
Upshur County < The Texas Motorized Trail Coalition received $191,520 for improvements to the Barnwell Mountain Off-Highway Recreation Area .Provided funds will go towards the purchasing of new equipment storage building, trail repairs, tools, equipment and utilities.
Walker County < U.S. Forest Service received $200,000 for the third phase of the Sam Houston Multi-use Trail project. The money will go towards bridges, trailheads, signing, equipment, tools, trailers and a tot loop.
Wichita County < Wichita Falls Streams and Valleys received $22,571 for the Wee-Chi-Tah Trail Restoration project. Funds will support erosion control efforts, a new bridge, signs and the purchasing of new equipment.