Texas Parks and Wildlife Department awards $4.8 million in recreational trail grants

AUSTIN During Thursday’s meeting, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission issued a press release that detailed it approved more than $4.8 million dollars in grants funding 17 motorized and non-motorized recreational trail-related projects across the state.

One million dollars of the amount allocated today came directly from state Sporting Good Sales Tax funds dedicated to the Recreational Trails Program through a rider passed by the 82nd Legislature, the press release stated. The rider increased the total amount of funded projects this year.

The National Recreational Trails Fund supports recreational trail construction, renovation and acquisition. The grants are funded from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases for off-highway vehicles. 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.

Several projects funded in previous years were completed under budget and four were cancelled, creating an additional $700,000 available for re-allocation this year. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has utilized the re-allocated funding for trail improvements in state parks.

In Crockett County, the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition received a $829,300 grant for Escondido Draw Recreation Area 2022 Projects. These projects include acquiring 387 acres of new parkland, renovating 20 miles of off-highway vehicle trail, road repairs and resurfacing, wildlife viewing shelters, equipment rental and storage shed, signage and a visitor OHV maintenance repair station.