The Red River Valley fared very well after news broke of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission awarded $3.81 million in recreational trail grants to Texas communities.
According to a press release on the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) website the TWP Commission awarded a total of $3.81 million dollars to be distributed through grants to aid in funding 22 motorized and non-motorized recreational trail-related projects across the state.
“The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) funds recreational trail construction, renovation and acquisition. The grants are funded from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases for off-road motorcycles and four-wheelers. Thirty percent of the total NRTF grants must be earmarked for motorized recreational trails, while another 30 percent must be spent on non-motorized trail projects. The remaining 40 percent is discretionary.,” as stated in the official press on their specific guidelines.
The release also mentioned that several projects funded in previous years were completed under budget and four had been cancelled; thus creating an additional $700,000 available for re-allocation this year.
“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has been utilizing the re-allocated funds for trail improvement projects in state parks. The result is a total of $4.67 million dollars in federal funding available to fund eligible trail construction projects,” the statement further advised.
For the Red River Valley, these following county’s will see funds approved for upcoming projects.
Lamar County: The Northeast Texas Trail Coalition in Lamar County is the recipients of a $200,000 grant for the Northeast Texas Trail- Clarksville to Highway 82. The project includes a new 1.9-mile rails-to-trails conversion including clearing, grading, bridge repair and railings, safety bollards and road crossings.
Red River County: The city of Annona is the recipients of a $200,000 grant for the Northeast Texas Trail- Annona Section. The project includes a new 3.8-mile rails-to-trails conversion including clearing, grading, safety bollards and road crossings.
The city of Avery received $174,400 for the Northeast Texas Trail- Avery Section. The project includes a new 4.01-mile rails-to-trails conversion including clearing, grading, bridge repair and railings, safety bollards and road crossings.
The city of Clarksville received $200,000 to go towards the Northeast Texas Trail Clarksville. The project includes a new 5.8-mile rails-to-trails conversion, bridge repair and signage.
Furthermore; Red River County is the recipient of a $200,000 grant for the Northeast Texas Trail- Red River County Section. The project includes a new 3.63-mile rails-to-trails conversion including the clearing, grading, bridge repair and railings, safety bollards, signage and road crossings.
