Overview
The Recreational Trails Program is a federal grant program funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered at the state level by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of the RTP is to provide and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities identified in, or that further a specific goal of, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Eligible applicants include qualified local governments, authorized commissions, and state and federal agencies.
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Georgia Trails Education Grant
Our grants specialists also administer the Georgia Trails Education Grants promoting trail safety and environmental protection. Projects must have a direct relationship with a recreational trail or trails. Projects can include education programs and/or production of trail-related educational materials (whether for information displays, print, video, audio, interactive computer displays, etc.). Education grants are applied for separately from other trail projects and potential Applicants should contact Lindsey Brown at lindsey.brown@dnr.ga.gov before submitting an application.
2019-2020 Funding Cycle Announcement
While the 2019-2020 window for accepting RTP Pre-applications has closed, the process continues for applicants.
During the Spring of 2019, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) announced the following details for the 2019-2020 funding cycle for the Recreational Trails Program.
All eligible applicants must complete a Pre-application online. Following the competitive Pre-application phase, successful Pre-applicants will be invited to complete a Second-level Application. Applicants may submit Pre-applications for both the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program and Recreational Trails Program, but applications must be for separate projects. The Recreational Trails Program is a Federal grant program funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. RTP provides funding for trail construction and trail rehabilitation. Eligible applicants include qualified local governments (as determined by the Department of Community Affairs), authorized commissions, and state and federal agencies.
Grant Cycle Timeline:
September 1, 2019 – Pre-application window opened
November 17, 2019 – Pre-application window closed
April 2020 – Successful pre-applicants to be notified; they will be asked to complete Second-level Applications
May 31, 2020 – Second-level Application period closes
Fall 2020 – Final Approval of Projects
RTP Funding for the 2019-2020 cycle:
- Estimated total funds available: $3,000,000
- There is no minimum grant amount.
- For single use and diverse use trail grant applications, the maximum funding assistance is $200,000.
- For motorized use trail grant applications, there is no maximum funding assistance limit.
Recreational Trail Program 2017–2018 Grant Recipients
- City of Dahlonega, Yahoola High Trestle Trail - $134,501.72
- Dougherty County, Radium Trailhead - $200,000
- City of Sasser, Sasser Trailhead - $100,000
- City of LaGrange, Thread-LaGrange College Connector - $200,000
- City of Rockmart, Church Street Trailhead - $95,500
- City of Hogansville, Hogansville Water Tower Trail Phase V- $200,000
- City of Jackson, Jackson Trail - $200,000
- City of Carrollton, Carrollton Greenbelt-Southside Spur - $200,000
- Harris County, Harris County Rails to Trails Project - $200,000
- USFS-Conasauga Ranger District-Motor, CRD Motor Trails Maintenance - $48,600
- USFS-Blue Ridge Ranger District, Blue Ridge Ranger District OHV Maintenance - $199,998
- Lanier County, Lanier County Parks and Recreation Nature Trail - $104,356
- Bremen City Schools District, Blue Devil Family Park Walking Trail - $200,000
- City of Smyrna, Mountain Bike Park at North Cooper Lake Park-Phase I - $200,000
- City of Milton, Trails at Providence Park- $200,000
- Whitfield County Board of Commissioners, Buzzards Roost/Grant Farm Mountain Bike Trail- $200,000
- UGA Research Foundation, Orange & White Trail Enhancement and Realignment @ State Botanical Garden- $155,220
- Wayne County, Jaycee Landing Trails-Phase I- $200,000
Advisory Committee
A committee of individuals interested in Georgia trails advises Program staff on policy issues and potential grant awards. The committee meets at least once a year. Meetings are open to the public, and reports of the minutes are available from Program staff. The Advisory Committee meeting for 2020 will be held on Wednesday, February 12th at 6:30pm in the Group Shelter at Sweetwater Creek State Park.
The current members of the committee are listed below:
Bicyclists
Keith Owen, Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association
Rick Moon, Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association
Off-Road Vehicle Users
Kenneth Sutz, Southern Four Wheel Drive Association
Bruce Dreher, Georgia Recreational Trail Riders Association
Equestrians
Randy Brown, Back Country Horsemen of North Georgia
Debbie Crowe, Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association
Water Trail Users
Dan MacIntyre, Georgia Canoe Association
Gwyneth Moody, Georgia River Network
Hiking, Jogging, Fitness (Pedestrian) Users
Greta DeMayo, Fulton County
Carlton E. Harris, Lumpkin County
O'Ree Crittenden, Muscogee County
Carolyn Hartfield, Hartfield's Hikers, OPALS (Older People with Active Lifestyles), Atlanta African American Adventures
Links
Contact Us
Lindsey Brown, Recreational Trails Program Coordinator
Telephone: (404) 463-1779
E-mail: Lindsey.Brown@dnr.ga.gov
Lauren Turner, Recreational Trails Program Grant Specialist
Telephone: (404) 463-1030
E-mail: Lauren.Turner@dnr.ga.gov
Recreational Trails Program
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 1370 East
Atlanta, GA 30334