Home » More than $1 million in 2014 Recreational Trails Program grants awarded

More than $1 million in 2014 Recreational Trails Program grants awarded

Grants awarded to 17 projects

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 3, 2014) — Gov. Steve Beshear today announced nearly $1.1 million in 2014 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants to develop and maintain 17 trail projects throughout Kentucky.

“Improving Kentucky’s trails is important to developing our state’s overall adventure tourism efforts,” Beshear said. “This funding helps our communities to not only open new trail projects, but to also improve on existing ones that will help infuse tourism dollars into local economies and improve residents’ overall quality of life.”

DLG-1RTP 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. Examples of trail uses include hiking, cycling, inline skating, equestrian use, off-road motorcycling and all-terrain vehicle riding.

The RTP is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, and administered in Kentucky by the Department for Local Government. It requires that non-motorized trail applicants match the amount of funds requested to receive a 50 percent reimbursement on approved projects, and that motorized trail applicants match the amount of funds requested to receive an 80 percent reimbursement. Those eligible to apply include city and county governments and state and federal agencies.

RTP applicants that also applied to receive Kentucky Trail Town designations received additional points in the RTP selection process. Trail Towns are certified through the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, and are communities near trail systems that help boost local tourism and economic growth through an atmosphere of trail-friendly businesses that cater to trail users.

RTP grant recipients:

  • Campbell County: AJ Jolly Trailside Enhancement Project, $100,000
  • Casey County: Central Kentucky Ag Expo Recreational Trail, $31,588
  • Clinton County: Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park Horse Trail Improvements, $15,000
  • Hardin County: Elizabethtown Greenspace 2014 Trail Improvements, $34,655
  • Harlan County: Veteran’s Memorial Trail Project, $100,000
  • Hopkins County: Mahr Park Trail Project, $100,000
  • Hopkins County: Barnsley Landfill ATV Trail Project, $100,000
  • Jackson County: McKee/Big Turtle Trails and Trailhead Project, $57,500
  • Jefferson County: Wetherby Park Upgrades, $52,714
  • Kenton County: Licking River Greenway – Phase 2 and 3, $100,000
  • Leslie County: River Front Park Walking Trail, $100,000
  • Livingston County: Livingston County Trail Project – Phase 3, $25,330
  • Mason County: MCTC Fitness Trail, $50,200
  • McCreary County: Buffalo Canyon Bridge and Sheltowee Trace Reconstruction Project, $25,000
  • Muhlenberg County: Central City Lu-Ray Park Trail Project, $67,700
  • Shelby County: Clear Creek Greenway FY2014, $100,000
  • Taylor County: Taylor County Tebbs Bend Nature Area – Phase 2, $38,500