HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 18, 2012) – First Lady Jane Beshear today announced more than $300,000 in Recreational Trail Program (RTP) grant funding for five Kentucky projects.
The grants are for the Muhlenberg County Rail Trail, the Dawson Springs Park to Park project and the Nortonville Recreational Trails project in Western Kentucky; for new trail project at Horse Fork Creek Park in Daviess County; and a project in the city of Trenton in Todd County.
“Developing Kentucky trails is instrumental in increasing overall adventure tourism efforts and boosting local economies throughout the state,” Beshear said. ”These federal funds help communities get trail projects off the ground so they can bring in tourism dollars and provide areas for their citizens to be active and live healthier lifestyles.”
The RTP is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. Kentucky’s RTP grants are administered by the Department for Local Government and require that applicants match the amount of funds requested. The grants may be used to provide assistance for acquisition of easements; development and/or maintenance of recreational trails; and trailhead facilities for both motorized and non-motorized use.
In August, Gov. Steve Beshear pledged his support for the RTP by signing a letter to U.S. Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood reaffirming Kentucky’s commitment to utilize RTP funds.
Project descriptions and grant amounts
Muhlenberg County Rail Trail, Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court, $80,000
The grant will enhance an existing six miles of trail by widening the path from 6 feet to 10 feet, to accommodate more walkers, cyclists and skaters. The enhancement will also offer easier trail access to handicapped individuals. Other improvements will include new lighting, bridge repairs and adding landscaping and signage to both the Central City and Greenville entrances.
Dawson Springs Park to Park, City of Dawson Springs, $52,670
Funding for this project will go toward the construction of a trailhead parking area along the Dawson Springs Park to Park trail. Additionally, a .25 mile portion of the trail north of the City Park baseball field will be resurfaced to enhance safety and ease of traveling while using the route.
Nortonville Recreational Trails Project, City of Nortonville, $25,000
Grant funding for this project allows the city to construct more than 3,000 feet of asphalt trail that is 8 feet in width. The new construction will start at High Street and extend around Nortonville Lake along Lake Drive. The grant will also fund new trailside facilities such as signage, garbage cans and benches for walkers and cyclists to utilize.
Horse Fork Creek Park, Daviess County Fiscal Court, $93,000
The RTP grant awarded to the Daviess County Fiscal Court will go toward the construction of more than 1,000 feet of a new, elevated nature trail at the Horse Fork Creek Park. It will also help provide maintenance to an existing 1.7 miles of the Horse Fork Creek Park Greenbelt Trail, and will help construct a new 60 by 200-foot trailhead parking lot for walkers, cyclists and skaters to utilize.
Trenton Recreational Trails Project, Todd County, $50,000
Grant funding for this project in the city of Trenton will assist in the construction of a new concrete trail for walking, cycling and skating along US Highway 41. The new trail will be five feet in width and 3,000 feet in length, and will connect to an already existing one-mile trail in the area. The project funding will also provide retaining walls, a foot bridge, benches, garbage cans and signage to go along the newly constructed trail.
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