Recreation Grants: A Tale of Two Cities
RANDY KITTLE, RTP AND LWCF GRANTS COORDINATOR
The days are starting to get longer, and our interests are starting to shift more toward outdoor activities, warm sunny days, and enjoyable experiences with family and friends at the park. This also means time for city staff to think about improvement projects needed for parks and trails as well as development of new park areas for growing cities. Two federal grant programs currently accepting applications can help you fund these trail and park projects: the Recreational Trails Program and Land and Water Conservation Fund. Administered by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, these grants provide assistance for trail and park projects across the state. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides grant assistance for trail development and nonroutine maintenance. These grant dollars come to the State through the Federal Highway Administration and provide up to 80% of the approved project cost in the form of a reimbursement. Eligible applicants include private and non-profit organizations, municipal agencies, state agencies, federal agencies, and tribal governments. Projects need to provide a public benefit and should fall into the following categories: Trail maintenance and Restoration, Trailside and Trailhead Facilities, Trail Construction Equipment, New Recreational Trail Construction, Land Acquisition/ Easement for Trail Construction, 14
Kuhnert Arboretum, Aberdeen, and Harbach Centennial Park, Custer, are being revitalized with assistance from grants through the Recreational Trails Program and Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Trail Accessibility Assessment, and Educational Programs. Under RTP, funding is required to be awarded to projects in accordance with the following formula: 30% funding to motorized trail projects, 30% funding goes to non-motorized trail projects and 40% goes to diversified trail projects. The application for RTP grants closes April 8, 2022. The grant manual and application are available at: gfp.sd.gov/partnerships. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provides grant assistance for public outdoor recreation. These grant dollars come to the State through the National Park Service and will provide up to 50% of the approved project cost in the form of a
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reimbursement. Eligible applicants include city, county and township governments, tribal governments, and the State. The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) identifies strategies and priority projects eligible for grant assistance. Some examples of projects that have been funded include swimming pool/splash pad projects, playgrounds, pickleball courts, basketball courts, baseball/ softball fields, picnic facilities, campgrounds, landscaping for the project area, park roads, fencing, lighting. The application period for LWCF grants closes April 29, 2022. The grant manual, application, and SCORP are available at gfp.sd.gov/ partnerships.
