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10-10-2006, 01:50 AM
State Parks Celebrate
'Public Lands Day' By
Awarding $1.1 Million in Trails Grants
SANTA FE – In conjunction with Governor Bill Richardson’s proclamation of September 30 as “Public Lands Day,” New Mexico State Parks announced $1.1 million has been awarded in 2006 trails grants funding. Ten different New Mexico entities will receive grants through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), a federal-aid program administered by State Parks that helps communities design, construct and maintain trails.
“Trails are the number one outdoor recreation need in New Mexico,” said Dave Simon, State Parks Director. “These exciting projects mean stronger communities and a healthier New Mexico.”
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the local, state, and federal public lands that Americans enjoy. Thousands of volunteers will take part in activities across all 50 states during the 13th annual event.
Governor Richardson’s proclamation encourages New Mexicans to enjoy outdoor recreation year round and to support protection of the natural environment. The full text of the Governor’s proclamation is available at www.nmparks.doc (http://www.nmparks.doc/). On September 30, 15 National Public Lands Day events will be taking place around New Mexico. For a full list of sites and events, log onto http://www.publiclandsday.org (http://www.publiclandsday.org/).
RTP receives annual funding through the Federal Highway Administration via the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act” (SAFETEA). The $1.1 million in federal RTP funds distributed by State Parks this year is the highest amount in the program’s 14-year history. Last year, New Mexico received approximately $896,000.
Since the program’s inception in 1993, New Mexico has been awarded over $6.8 million. The funding has helped to build and maintain miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and motorized trail users.
The list of the 2006 Recreational Trails Program grant recipients is as follows:
City of Santa Fe, $426,000 – Municipal Recreation Complex
Leasburg Dam State Park, $248,000 – Mogollon Trail
Heron Lake State Park, $150, 546 – Campgrounds Nature Trail
City of Gallup, $142,000 – ATV/OHV Park
City of Roswell, $72,611 – Spring River Parkway Trail
City of Rio Rancho, $69,461 – Willow Creek Bosque Trail
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, $69,323 - Dos Arroyos Trail
Navajo Lake State Park, $68,000 – San Juan River Trail
Village of Angel Fire, $27,500 – Angel Fire Trailhead
Village of Cloudcroft, $17,600 – Zenith Park Trail
Federal RTP funds can cover up to 80 percent of a project’s total cost with a sponsor match of at least 20 percent. Each year, the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Board—a volunteer panel of trails users and experts from across the state—reviews applications and recommends funding. Eligible projects include: motorized and non-motorized new trail construction, trail maintenance, trailhead improvements and acquisition of land or right-of-way for trails. Local, state, federal and tribal entities may apply, as well as 501(c) nonprofit organizations (in partnership with a governmental entity).
Funding for RTP grants in 2007 should be similar to 2006. The deadline for 2007 applications is April 1, 2007. Applications and guidelines for the 2007 grant cycle may be found on the New Mexico State Parks Division website at www.nmparks.com (http://www.nmparks.com/) after November 1, 2006.
In addition to the Recreational Trails Program, New Mexico State Parks is also leading efforts to develop a 200-plus mile recreational trail along the Rio Grande from Bernalillo to Las Cruces. Over 70 individuals representing trail users, communities, local organizations and governmental entities met in June to learn more about the concept and to submit ideas for use in future planning efforts.
For additional information or to apply for a 2007 RTP grant, contact Trails Coordinator, Jessica Terrell, at (505) 827-1476 or jessica.terrell@state.nm.us.
'Public Lands Day' By
Awarding $1.1 Million in Trails Grants
SANTA FE – In conjunction with Governor Bill Richardson’s proclamation of September 30 as “Public Lands Day,” New Mexico State Parks announced $1.1 million has been awarded in 2006 trails grants funding. Ten different New Mexico entities will receive grants through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), a federal-aid program administered by State Parks that helps communities design, construct and maintain trails.
“Trails are the number one outdoor recreation need in New Mexico,” said Dave Simon, State Parks Director. “These exciting projects mean stronger communities and a healthier New Mexico.”
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the local, state, and federal public lands that Americans enjoy. Thousands of volunteers will take part in activities across all 50 states during the 13th annual event.
Governor Richardson’s proclamation encourages New Mexicans to enjoy outdoor recreation year round and to support protection of the natural environment. The full text of the Governor’s proclamation is available at www.nmparks.doc (http://www.nmparks.doc/). On September 30, 15 National Public Lands Day events will be taking place around New Mexico. For a full list of sites and events, log onto http://www.publiclandsday.org (http://www.publiclandsday.org/).
RTP receives annual funding through the Federal Highway Administration via the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act” (SAFETEA). The $1.1 million in federal RTP funds distributed by State Parks this year is the highest amount in the program’s 14-year history. Last year, New Mexico received approximately $896,000.
Since the program’s inception in 1993, New Mexico has been awarded over $6.8 million. The funding has helped to build and maintain miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and motorized trail users.
The list of the 2006 Recreational Trails Program grant recipients is as follows:
City of Santa Fe, $426,000 – Municipal Recreation Complex
Leasburg Dam State Park, $248,000 – Mogollon Trail
Heron Lake State Park, $150, 546 – Campgrounds Nature Trail
City of Gallup, $142,000 – ATV/OHV Park
City of Roswell, $72,611 – Spring River Parkway Trail
City of Rio Rancho, $69,461 – Willow Creek Bosque Trail
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, $69,323 - Dos Arroyos Trail
Navajo Lake State Park, $68,000 – San Juan River Trail
Village of Angel Fire, $27,500 – Angel Fire Trailhead
Village of Cloudcroft, $17,600 – Zenith Park Trail
Federal RTP funds can cover up to 80 percent of a project’s total cost with a sponsor match of at least 20 percent. Each year, the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Board—a volunteer panel of trails users and experts from across the state—reviews applications and recommends funding. Eligible projects include: motorized and non-motorized new trail construction, trail maintenance, trailhead improvements and acquisition of land or right-of-way for trails. Local, state, federal and tribal entities may apply, as well as 501(c) nonprofit organizations (in partnership with a governmental entity).
Funding for RTP grants in 2007 should be similar to 2006. The deadline for 2007 applications is April 1, 2007. Applications and guidelines for the 2007 grant cycle may be found on the New Mexico State Parks Division website at www.nmparks.com (http://www.nmparks.com/) after November 1, 2006.
In addition to the Recreational Trails Program, New Mexico State Parks is also leading efforts to develop a 200-plus mile recreational trail along the Rio Grande from Bernalillo to Las Cruces. Over 70 individuals representing trail users, communities, local organizations and governmental entities met in June to learn more about the concept and to submit ideas for use in future planning efforts.
For additional information or to apply for a 2007 RTP grant, contact Trails Coordinator, Jessica Terrell, at (505) 827-1476 or jessica.terrell@state.nm.us.