FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2015
DEP
ACCEPTING RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATIONS
~Grant
opportunity to enhance public outdoor recreation~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department
of Environmental Protection will be accepting grant applications during April
15-30 for the Recreational Trails Program, which provides competitive matching grant funds to renovate, develop or maintain recreational motorized, nonmotorized and mixed-use trails and trailside facilities.
The program provides financial assistance to municipal, county, state or federal
governmental agencies and recognized state and federal Indian tribal
governments. Also eligible to receive grants are active, registered Florida nonprofit corporations
that have an agreement with a governmental agency to develop public lands and public recreational trails.
“The Recreational Trails Program helps agencies leverage local
funds to develop trail facilities for all enthusiasts,” said Bryan Bradner,
acting director of DEP's Office of Operations. “These projects increase accessibility,
enhance recreational activity and provide healthy opportunities to connect with
the outdoors.”
For
the 2015 grant cycle, project proposals may address the following recreational
trail needs: construction of new trails (with restrictions for new
trails on Federal lands); maintenance, restoration or renovation of existing trails and trail linkages; and the development and rehabilitation
of trailside and trailhead facilities.
As part of the U.S.
Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, the Recreational Trails Program contract agreements are for two years and grants are
provided on a 50:50, 60:40, or 80:20 (program/grantee) matching basis.
Additional
information, including the Recreational Trails Program application packet, can
be found here.
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