Texas Parks and Wildlife approves $6.17 million for 21 trail projects statewide

More than $6.17 million in state and federal funding will support 21 trail projects across Texas, from new walking paths and state park expansions to motorized recreation areas, after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the grants.

The funding comes through the National Recreational Trails Fund, which uses a portion of federal gas tax revenue generated by off-highway vehicle fuel purchases to support trail construction, renovation and land acquisition projects. State Sporting Goods Sales Tax revenue also supports the grants.

About $3.7 million in National Recreational Trails Fund money was designated for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Recreational Trails Grants Program this year. About $1.6 million from the state Sporting Goods Sales Tax was also designated for eligible trail projects, alongside federal funds.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the grants combine federal and state funding sources, with up to $900,000 allocated for state park trail improvement projects. The largest award was a $499,999 grant to the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition in Crockett County for trail, parking and infrastructure improvements at the TMTC Escondido Draw Recreation Area.

Central Texas received the most grant approvals, accounting for eight of the 21 projects selected statewide. The remaining grants went to projects in North Texas, East Texas, Southeast Texas, West Texas and Panhandle communities.

The projects that received funding, by county, are:

Bell County: Texas A&M University-Central Texas received $299,994 for the Forge Trail System. The funds will be used to build a 0.25-mile accessible trail segment and 1.25 miles of natural surface trail including trailhead, interpretive kiosks, benches and wayfinding signage.

Bexar County: Universal City received $297,904 for the third phase of the Cibolo Creek Recreational Trail. The money will be used for the construction of a 0.85-mile, 12-foot-wide concrete surface trail.

Collin County: The McKinney Municipal Utility District No. 1 received $21,865 for the installation of trailside amenities including waste receptacles, benches and information kiosks.

Crockett County: The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition received $499,999 for the TMTC Escondido Draw Recreation Area, renovating a 10-mile, 6-foot-wide motorized trail with parking improvements, toilets and plumbing, an electrical system and equipment purchases.

Dallas County: The Trust for Public Land-Texas received $219,030 for the construction of a 3-mile, 6-foot-wide improved surface trail with benches, signage, kiosks, erosion control and habitat restoration of the Woody Branch Park nature trails.

El Paso County: The Paso del Norte Community Foundation received $237,372 for the risk reduction and user experience improvement project of the Paso del Norte Trail. The money will be used to build a 250-foot trail and renovations of a 7.64-mile trail with concrete repair, street crossing, wayfinding and entrance signage and trash receptacles.

Galveston County: The Galveston Bay Foundation received $220,304 for the construction of a 1.5-mile, 7-foot-wide multi-surface trail which will include bridges, picnic tables, benches and an educational kiosk. The new trail is part of the Gessner Center Trail and Resiliency Project.

Hays County: The Hill Country Conservancy received $300,000 for the Violet Crown Trail's second phase, which includes construction of a 2-mile natural surface trail extension.

Henderson County: Gun Barrel City received $54,700 for the Gun Barrel City Park Trails to renovate a 0.95-mile, 5-foot-wide recycled asphalt trail.

Jefferson County: Jefferson County secured two grants: Beaumont received $215,000 to build the new Lefler Motor Park, including a five-mile motorized trail system, and another $296,000 to renovate 2.5 miles of accessible trails at Tyrrell Park.

Kendall County: The city of Boerne received $300,000 for the replacement of the Old No. 9 Trail Bridge. The project includes construction of a 120-foot long, 12-foot-wide steel bridge as a replacement for the aging timber structure on existing trail.

McLennan County: The Waco Motorcycle Club received $390,400 for the renovation of a 10-mile, 6-foot-wide trail with retaining walls, sheltered picnic areas, fencing, lighting and trailhead kiosk.

Ochiltree County: The City of Perryton received $216,000 for the Murphy Park new recreational walking paths. The money will be used to build a 0.57-mile, 5-foot-wide ADA-accessible concrete trail, lighting and shaded benches.

Palo Pinto County: At the newest Texas State Park, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park received $300,000 for phase two of the park trails. The project will add 6 miles of multi-use natural surface trail added to the park.

Scurry County: Scurry County received $143,467 for its continued renovation of its recreational trails. The project includes renovations to 1 mile of trail and construction of 10 to 15 miles of bike trails, a children's pump track, bridges, restroom improvements, a shade pavilion and benches.

Smith County: The Park of East Texas, Inc., received $300,000 for its trails, which will be used on construction of a 1-mile, 6-foot-wide looped decomposed granite trail with a gravel parking lot, trailhead, signage, site furniture and entry gate.

Travis County: The John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park Trail Network project will be a 3.25-mile, 6-foot-wide decomposed granite trail, including signage and shaded rest areas. The funds were awarded to the Austin's Parks and Recreation Department for the construction. Ecology Action of Texas also received $166,420 for the Montopolis Nature Trail Network for renovations and improvements of a 4-mile, 4-foot-wide natural surface trail with equestrian infrastructure, bike racks and a gravel parking area.

Val Verde County: Val Verde County received $300,000 for non-motorized trail development, including construction of a 6.6-mile, 10-foot-wide crushed limestone walking trail.

Yoakum County: Yoakum County received $192,000 to renovate the Stanford Park Recreational Trail, converting the 0.52-mile, 10-foot-wide trail into a concrete multi-use walking loop.

The grants support motorized and non-motorized recreation projects throughout Texas, ranging from urban walking trails and park improvements to off-road vehicle facilities and state park trail expansions.

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