The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department (OTRD) announced grant recipients for the 2020 Recreational Trails Program (RTP). This year OTRD awarded more than $1.5 million to communities across the state.
“The Recreational Trails Program gives communities the opportunity to build or enhance recreational trails for their residents to enjoy the outdoors,” said Jerry Winchester, Executive Director of OTRD.
The RTP provides for a Federal-aid assistance program to states for provision and maintenance of recreational trails for motorized and non-motorized use. The money for the projects is provided by federal transportation funds. In Oklahoma, the program is managed by OTRD.
RTP guidelines require the funds be used for recreational trails and trails-related projects. Specific uses include: trail maintenance and restoration, land acquisition, construction of new trails, trail access for persons with disabilities, and development of trail-head and trail-side facilities.
2020 RTP Community recipients and projects include:
Children’s Center, Inc., ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma, $36,000
ATV Ride Safe will provide safety education and injury prevention information for ATV operation to youth and adults in Oklahoma.
Kingfisher Trails, Inc., Francis Nature Trail, $240,000
A 4,300 linear feet (10 feet wide) reinforced concrete trail with a small section of share the road trail to connect north and south paved trails.
City of Muskogee, Grandview Park Trail and Bike Park, $240,000
This will install an 8×3,000-foot concrete trail with a 1/2 mile loop-1/2 mile primitive trails.
City of Tahlequah, Mission Park Trail Phase I, $240,000
This will construct 1-mile American Disabilities Act-compliant multi use recreational trail including support facilities, parking, seating and signage.
Vian Community Foundation, Armstrong Park Bike Trails Phase V, $240,000
This funds an additional 3 miles of 36-inch wide, earthen material trail with skills course, 48 inches wide and 1/4-mile pump track.
City of Newcastle, Veterans Park Rec Trail Phase II, $207,840
This will build approximately one mile of new and resurfaced 10-foot wide pedestrian/bicycle trails, parking and trail amenities.
City of Stillwater, Lake McMurtry Nature Learn Trail, $240,000
This will install 8-foot-wide, 1/2-mile long, 3-foot asphalt trail with ADA compliant parking and signage.
City of McAlester, Rotary Park Trail, $64,000
This will resurface an 8×3,850-foot ADA compliant asphalt trail with striping, outdoor fitness equipment and signage.
Oklahoma State University, Treewalk Village, $34,758
This funds Phase II of the tree walk trail and will install platform, cable bridge and slide.
“These federal dollars will help communities provide new and improved tourism destinations that provide an enhanced quality of life,” said Winchester.