Recreational Trails Program Grants

The Recreational Trails Program Grants, offered by the Missouri State Parks Foundation, aim to enhance both motorized and nonmotorized recreational trails through federal funding. These grants support local governments, school districts, and nonprofits in projects such as trail construction, maintenance, and facility development. A minimum 20% matching contribution is required from project sponsors. This initiative fosters partnerships to improve Missouri's park systems, ensuring accessibility and sustainability for public enjoyment.

Missouri State Parks Foundation
The Missouri State Parks Foundation is a not-for-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation is a partner with the Missouri State Parks Department, but is a separate, self-governing organization with its own board of directors and bylaws. The Foundation was registered as a non-profit Missouri corporation in December 2001.
The Foundation is an independent organization and all policy and decision making authority is vested in the Board of Directors, within the parameters of the bylaws, state and federal laws governing nonprofit corporations and the IRS Code. The Board members are volunteers and represent a cross section of Missouri's citizens. The Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, or his/her representative serves on the Board in an ex officio (non voting) capacity to ensure good communication between the two organizations. Additionally, the Foundation's Board hires and supervises an Executive Director to manage the day-to-day functions of the Foundation.
The Foundation seeks:
To improve and enhance the Missouri State Parks System, in harmony with the stated mission of the component parks and historic sites.To develop cooperative agreements and mutually beneficial agreements with other state non-profit support groups.To provide funding for educational, scientific, cultural, and charitable activities at the Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites.To support acquisition of land, buildings, and other items for improvement and enhancement of the Parks System.
Recreational Trail Program (RTP) Grants
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is federally funded through the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The purpose of this program is to promote motorized and nonmotorized recreational trails.
Recreational Trails Program grants are available to local and state governments, school districts and nonprofit organizations and businesses. Eligible project categories include constructing new recreational trails, maintaining or renovating existing trails, developing or renovating trailheads or trail amenities, acquiring land for recreational trails, or purchasing or leasing trail maintenance equipment. Project sponsors must contribute a minimum match of 20% of the total cost of the project.

Eligibility

Open to local and state governments, school districts, and nonprofit organizations.Sponsors must have a minimum 20% match.
Projects must be open to the public.Eligible projects include:Restoration of existing recreational trails.Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages for recreational trails.Construction of new recreational trails (with restrictions for new trails on Federal lands).Acquisition of easements and property for recreational trails or recreational trail corridors.Assessment of trail conditions for accessibility and maintenance.