1. Recreational Trails Program

2. SCORP State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
The Future of Outdoor Recreation in Georgia

3. What is it?
A statewide blueprint for maintaining and sustaining public outdoor recreation resources to meet the demands of Georgia’s diverse and growing population
The plan, which is updated every five
years, keeps Georgia eligible for federal
grant support through the Land and
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

4. Demand- Supply = Need Phone Surveys Focus Groups Town Hall Meetings
On-Line Comments

5. What do people want?
Parks
Trails
Open Spaces
Recreation

6. Most popular outdoor activities
Jogging
Running
Walking

7. Advantages of trails
Provide places for children and families to connect with nature and recreate outdoors together
Strengthen community ties and bring diverse populations together
People who live near parks or trails exercise more and report better mental health
One of the top 3 reasons businesses cite in making relocation decisions
Access to parks strongly linked to reduced crime and juvenile delinquency
Home-buyers willing to pay more to live close to parks

8. Recreational Trails Program

9. Program Goal
Encourage all kinds of trail enthusiasts to work together to provide a wide variety of recreational trail opportunities

10. How RTP Works
Receive money from a transportation fund which receives money from a federal fuel tax of 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel fuel and related excise taxes
50% of the funds are distributed evenly
50% of funds are based on fuel use in each state
Each state administers its own program with guidance from Federal Highway

11. Types of Trails

12. Who is Eligible? city governments county governments
recreation authorities with legislative sanction
recreation commissions
federal agencies
state agencies

13. How Funds are Distributed

14. Reimbursement Program
Grant recipients pay 100% of up front cost
Eligible for 80% reimbursement
$100,000 + $25,000 = $125,000
80% %

15. 80% Cost Share Construction of new trails
Maintenance and restoration of existing trails
Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities
Parking, signage, restrooms, benches, trash receptacles, safety railing, guide maps, etc.
Lease and some purchases of trail construction and maintenance equipment
Acquisition of property or easements for trails
Assessments (accessibility, environmental)
Facilitating access and use of trails by persons with disabilities

16. Eligible Matching Costs 20%
Cash
Donations
Services
Materials
Land value
Volunteers
In-kind
Labor
Equipment

17. Ineligible Practices
Sidewalks
Roads
Tracks
Design only projects

18. Land and Water Conservation Fund
(LWCF)
50/50 Grant
Provides matching grants to States and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities

19. Contact Information
Recreational Trails Program
Jodie Gardner, Program Manager
Audrey Camp, Outreach Coordinator
Land and Water Program
Antoinette Norfleet,
Program Manager

20. Happy Trails! http://gastateparks.org/grants/rtp