Recreational Trails grants

Recreational trails grants let you add all kinds of trails to your parks or green spaces. It's a great way to add new recreation facilities to your town.

Non-motorized trails can include: 

• Walking and hiking
• Bicycling and rollerblading
  
• Skateboarding
• Horseback riding
  

You can request up to $160,000. The grants are an 80/20 match. (On a $160,000 grant, you'll be responsible for matching $40,000.) You can match with cash or documented contributions.

Under the heading of skateboarding, you could easily design a skateboarding trail with a series of jump areas or challenges. This could be an appealing alternative to the traditional, compact skate park.

Motorized Trails
Motorized trails are given a set aside, and that means your motorized applications are quite likely to be funded, if you meet the basic requirements. Potential trail users include:

• ATVs
• Four wheel drives
• Motorcycles
  

With all the ATV and 4x4 popularity in Western Oklahoma, this is a great project to bring new visitors to town. There is no cap on the amount you can request, but you still have to meet the 80/20 match.

Existing Trails

If you have existing trails, you can apply for funds to maintain, repair, or enhance your trails. This includes adding any trail amenities, including restrooms and lighting. This gives you a great way to improve any existing trails with new upgrades.

Applying

Applications are due at the end of January. The new application is up at the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Recreational Trails page. Right now, you'll want to start on preliminary engineering to get a good cost estimate and preliminary site drawing. Both are needed to apply.