NEWS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 23, 2020
North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department
Awards Approximately $1 Million in Recreation Trail Projects
The North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department received 17 Recreation Trails Program (RTP) grant applications totaling $1,595,553.82 in project fund requests in the last grant round. The RTP grant program was allocated approximately $1 million for the fiscal year 2020 through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to award across the state. The RTP Advisory Committee ranked and selected 13 of the 17 projects that were allocated funding this year. Grants Coordinator Char Binstock noted this is the largest number of projects that have been funded through this program in one fiscal year.
The selected projects were funded as follows:
- Bismarck Parks and Recreation District--- Sibley Hiking Trail
- Bureau of Land Management--- Schnell Ranch Recreation Area Trial
- Hunter/Arthur JPA Park Board--- Northern Cass Pass
- Maah Daah Hey Trail Association--- Sully Restoration
- City of Rolla--- The Legacy Path
- Pembina Gorge Foundation--- Mountain Bike Trail Phase II
- NDPRD--- Lake Metigoshe State Park D Loop Dock
- NDPRD--- Winter Trail Grooming Equipment
- USDA Forest Service--- Maah Daah Hey Trail Restoration
- USDA Forest Service--- Buffalo Gap Trail
- SND--- Program Upgrades 2019
- Barnes County Soil Conservation District--- Riparian Park
- City of Lincoln--- Lincoln Shared Use Path
"This last year has reinforced how important outdoor opportunities are for the health and well-being of citizens of North Dakota," stated Andrea Travnicek, Director of the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department. "We are excited to award so many communities with the opportunity to grow and enhance the recreational trails they can offer their citizens and visitors.”
The Recreational Trails Program is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. Examples of eligible projects include the construction of new recreation trails, restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, purchase and lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment, land acquisition/easements, and trail accessibility assessment.
The RTP is administered at the state level through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) and federally through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Projects are evaluated and ranked by the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Committee (RTPAC). The committee's purpose is to assist in ranking projects seeking federal trail funds administered by the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department and to provide additional program guidance. Currently, three positions are open on the RTPAC; more information can be found at www.parkrec.nd.gov/business.
For further information on current or past projects, please contact Jolene Rieck, PLA, Chief of Planning and Programs, or Char Binstock, Grants Coordinator at the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department 701-328-5357.
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For More Information Contact:
Char Binstock, Grants Coordinator at cbinstock@nd.gov, (701) 328-5364
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Doug Burgum, Governor
Andrea Travnicek, Ph.D., Parks & Recreation Director
Century Center | 1600 E. Century Ave. Suite 3 | Bismarck, ND 58503
PHONE: (701) 328-5357 | FAX: (701) 328-5363 | E-MAIL: parkrec@nd.gov
www.parkrec.nd.gov
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