North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation

State Trails Program2014 – 2015 Recreational Trails

Program Grant Application Workshop

Introduction to the State Trails

Program

Program Organization

North Carolina Department of

Environment & Natural Resources

Division of Parks and Recreation

State Parks &State Trails

Program(STP)

The State Trails Program Mission…

The mission of this program is to promote sustainable trail planning; to leverage and conserve our natural resources; insure the responsible use of public funds; and to facilitate low infrastructure economic development opportunities across the state.

Trails is our inclusive term that includes; hiking trails; bicycling trails; equestrian trails; paddle trails; off-highway vehicle trails; and multi-use greenways.

As part of our mission…

We are here to help you!

• Darrell McBane—State Trails Coordinator• Tim Johnson – Western Trails Specialist• Amy Matisoff – Northern Trails Specialist• Smith Raynor – Southern Trails Specialist• Vincent T. Newman-Brooks – Grants Manager

State Trails Program Responsibilities

• State trail planning

• State parks consulting, planning and technical assistance

• Consulting with other partners

• Federal grants management

Recreational Trails Program

Recreational Trails Program

The RTP is a federal grant program administered by the State Trails Program.

The funds for this program come from federal taxes paid on fuel used in off-highway vehicles.

The intent is to help fund trails and trail-related projects at the statelevel.

Funding

Source: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)

Web: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/

2014 Funding: $1.5 million

2015 Funding: Requires federal reauthorization

Some of the fine print…

Grant Amount: $10,000 to $100,000

Required Match: Minimum 25% of grant award

Reimbursement program

Public use for at least 10 years

Open to government agenciesand non-profit organizations

Match Requirement

• Cash

• Force account labor

• Volunteer labor

• Donated materials, equipment and operator

• Land donation—allowable for 18 months prior and

during contract

• Project planning and environmental compliance

costs—allowable for 18 months prior and during

contract

Permissible Uses

• New trail/greenway construction

• Trail/greenway renovation

• Approved trail/greenway facilities

• Trailhead and trail markers

• Tools to construct and renovate trails

• Land acquisition for trail purposes

• Legal, design and permitting costs—up to 10% of grant

award

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Sustainable Trail Planning

Applications ready for funding include:• What you want to accomplish where and when• Fully developed plan• Trail location• Trail user types defined• Connections to points of interest, other trails and

trail facilities• Identify needed lands and engage private land

owners• Responsible trail owner/manager• Meets a defined public need• Public review and comment

Sustainable Trail Planning?

Applications that cause questions during review:• No defined plan identifying trail location, land

ownership, users or trail length, width or surface options

• Lack letters of commitment from land owners and managers

• Don’t have a committed project owner and manager

• Questionable source of matching funds• Dead end trails – no destinations• No defined public need or input• Poor maps

PRE-APPLICATION

Pre-applications will be accepted for both 2014 and 2015 RTP grant cycles.

Funding for 2014 is secure at $1.5 million –pending rescissions

Funding for 2015 is dependent on federal reauthorization

You may submit individual pre-applications for:• 2014 and 2015 funding• Phased grant projects

An agency or organization can submit multiple pre-applications – but we suggest you provide us a priority as we often only award one grant per agency/organization

2014 Special Bulletin

Pre-application

Gateway to the RTP grant application

Download and/or update Adobe Reader

Open pre-application and save to your computer before you begin work

Will be evaluated peer to peer

Reviewed by trails staff and evaluated by the North Carolina Trails Committee

Qualified applicants will be invited to submit a final RTP application – final applications to be sent to invited applicants in early December 2013

• 2014

• 2015

• 2014 Phased

• 2015 Phased

• No Preference

Q 10: Grant Year Preference

• New Trail/Greenway Construction- Unpaved

• New Trail/Greenway Construction- Paved

• Trail/Greenway Renovation or Maintenance

• Approved Trail/Greenway Facilities

• Informational Trail Head Sign or Directional Trail Markers

• Land Acquisition for Trail Purposes

• Combination of the Above

Note: Purchase of Tools/Equipment permitted for new trail construction and/or trail renovation project

Q 13: Project Classification

Q 15: Trail Designation

Authorized State Trails Deep River State TrailFrench Broad River State TrailMountains-to-Sea State TrailYadkin River State Trail

N.C. State Park Trails

Designated State TrailsCape Fear RiverDan RiverDavis CreekSouth Yadkin RiverUpper Catawba River

Local Trails and Trail Networks

Connector Trails – connects two existing sections of trail

Extension Trails – extends or lengthens an existing section of trail to a reasonable destination

Trail Network– a 20+ mile system of trails built for a specific user group

Stand Alone/Phase Trails – no existing trail on either end of the project

Forest/Park/School/Community Center Trails – one mile or more

Forest/Park/School/Community Center Trails – less than a mile

Q 16: Trail Connections

Q 17: Trail Categories

• Motorized Diverse Use

• Motorized Single Use

• Non-motorized Diverse Use

• Non-motorized Single Use—Canoe/Kayak

• Non-motorized Single Use—Equestrian

• Non-motorized Single Use—Mountain Bicycle

• Non-motorized Single Use—Pedestrian

Q 18: Project Description

Describe your project: location, users, length, width and connectivity

Physically possible—Can it actually be built?

Legally permissible—Is it legal to build it how and where you want to? Economically feasible—Is there a agency or organization that has agreed to own and manage this project? Have you included all potential partners in this effort? Maximally Productive—Is there a public need and support for this project? Is this a good use of public funds?

Maps

A map is an essential part of the pre-application

It needs to clearly show:

• Where the project is located• Length of the project• Connection to other trails, existing and planned• Existing and planned facilities• Structures that will be/are part of the project

Elkin Reservoir w/ Parking and Restrooms

Elkin City Park w/Parking and Restrooms

Future Section N to Stone Mountain

Future Section E to Carter Park

2014 RTP Project – Elkin City Park to Elkin Reservoir – Construct 2.5 Miles of 4’ Wide Natural Surface Trail

Pre-application Evaluation

Once your pre-application is received, it will be reviewed by the Trails Staff

The North Carolina Trails Committee will evaluate your pre-application

Qualified applicants will be invited to submit a final RTP application for grant funding 

Last thoughts on the pre-app

Mapping Programs:• https://maps.google.com/• http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/explorer-online

All written responses must fit in the allotted space. Do NOT alter the form in any way, including the security rights

Email your pre-application no later than 11:59 pm on November 15, 2013 to the State Trails Program email address

THANK YOU!

State Trails Program For additional information, please visit:http://www.ncparks.gov/About/trails_main.php