AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $4.5 million in grants, funding 16 trail construction and maintenance projects across the state.
The National Recreational Trails Fund supports recreational trail construction, renovation and acquisition through grants funded from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by fuel purchases for offhighway vehicles. The fund must be used to support a diverse mix of both motorized and nonmotorized trail projects.
The Texas Legislature has added an additional $1 million per year to the program and may include additional funds for this year from the Sporting Goods Sales Tax. Additionally, several projects funded in previous years were completed under budget or were cancelled, creating another $900,000 available for re-allocation this year. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has re-allocated the funding for trail improvements in state parks.
The Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Bell County received a $280,148 grant for the renovation and development of 3.25 miles of interpretive trails, including signage, and the development of a trail-side pavilion at Camp Tahuaya.
In Travis County, Ecology Action of Texas received a $148,552 grant for the Country Club Creek East Riparian Trail Enhancement project. The grant will fund the construction of 0.33 miles of puncheon pathway, new steps from Atwood Trailhead and signage as well as the renovation of two miles of trail in Circle Acres and Guerrero Park.
Other counties receiving grants include Bandera County, Hayes County, Colorado County, Crockett County, Madison County, MontgomeryCounty, Palo Pinto County, Reeves County, Waller County and Webb County.
