Additional $700,000 re-allocated from previous funding for state park trail improvements.

AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved $3.38 million dollars in grants to fund 19 motorized and non-motorized recreational trail-related projects across the state.

The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) funds recreational trail construction, renovation and acquisition. The grants are funded from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases for off-road motorcycles and four-wheelers. 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 been utilizing the re-allocated funds for trail improvement projects in state parks. The result is a total of $4.37 million dollars in federal funding available to fund eligible trail construction projects.

Projects awarded funding are listed in alphabetical order by county below:

Texas A&M University- Texarkana in Bowie County received $200,000 to fund improvements for the Bringle Lake Trail project. The grant will fund a new 1.7 mile multi-use stabilized natural surface trail with benches, lighting, trailheads and signage to complete the seven-mile loop.

Brazoria County received $186,000 to fund the Brazoria County Parks trail development. Improvements include a new 2.5 mile walking and biking trail using decomposed granite with a wooden bridge.

The Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust in Caldwell County received $200,000 to fund the Plum Creek Wetland Preserve Community Trail. The grant will fund a new one-mile multi-use concrete trail with a welcome sign, information kiosk, trail distance markers, benches, pet waste stations and trash receptacles.

Friends of Neches River National Wildlife Refuge in Cherokee County received $160,000 to fund the Song Bird Trail Restoration project at the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. The grant will aid the restoration of a half-mile natural surface trail, as well as the development of a .11 mile natural surface trail, bridge replacement, installation of a gate and interpretation sign.

The Texas Motorized Trails in Crockett County received $388,520 to fund the Escondido Draw Recreation Area. The funding will go towards a five-mile 4X4 trail and renovations of up to 70 miles of OHV trail network. Additionally, the grant will fund fire prevention, security, dust management, wildlife surveys, installation of a toilet, an entry gate, wildlife viewing areas, additional parking, a perimeter fence, vehicle maintenance area and trash management.

The city of Waxahachie in Ellis County received $200,000 to fund the MKT Trail. Funding will go towards a new 2-mile decomposed granite rail trail with fencing and trail amenities.

Cullinan Park Conservancy in Fort Bend County received $200,000 to fund the White Lake Loop Trail. Improvements will include a 1.2-mile decomposed granite trail extension to complete the loop and boardwalks.

Greater Houston Off-Road Biking Association in Harris County received $144,000 to fund the Harvey Restoration and Education project. The project includes Hurricane Harvey trail restoration and repair of 90 miles of existing natural surface trail and features in Harris, Ft. Bend, Montgomery and Galveston Counties. Additionally, the funds will also go towards volunteer training and public education.

Huffman Independent School District in Harris County received $200,000 to fund the Huffman Community Trails project. Funds will go toward a new one-mile loop trail. The trail will be granite for ¾ mile, wood boardwalk for ¼ mile and include signage, benches, a bathroom and hand-washing station.

Timber Lane Utility District in Harris County received $200,000 to fund the Cypress Creek Hike and Bike Trail project. The project includes a new .33 mile concrete trail, as well as improvements to .32 mile of existing trail.

The city of Eagle Pass in Maverick County received $200,000 to fund the Community Trail Network. The project includes a new .76 mile multi-use, ADA compliant concrete trail, bridge, informational kiosks, picnic benches, bike racks, dog waste systems, trash cans, smart crosswalk system, signage, solar bollard lighting and ADA compliant detectable warning signs.

Waco Motorcycle Club in McLennan County received $390,560 to fund the Waco Eagles Motocross Dirt Bike Park. The project includes the renovation of 10 miles of OHV trail, trail maintenance equipment, supplies and trail amenities.

The city of Port Aransas in Nueces County received $200,000 to go towards restoring access to the Port Aransas Nature Preserve. The project includes a new 500-foot hike and bike boardwalk and observation tower with striping of a .42 mile bike lane.

Great Paris Development Foundation Inc. in Red River County received $177,600 towards the Rails to Trails Bagwell to Clarksville project. The new 5-mile rails to trails conversion project includes grading, bridge repair and railings, safety bollards and road crossing.

University of Texas-Tyler in Smith County received $56,900 towards the UT Tyler Trail project. Improvements include a new 1.24 miles of natural surface multi-use trail and renovation of 3.32 miles of mountain bike trail.

Friends of Tandy Hill Natural Area in Tarrant County received $28,000 towards Tandy Hills Natural Area. Improvements include the rehabilitation of a 1.5 mile natural surface hiking trail, an additional 1.5 mile hiking trail with a raised causeway and bridge.

Ecology Action of Texas in Travis County received $29,200 towards the Circle Acres Preserve Trail Rehabilitation. The project includes renovation of the .5 mile trail network, establishment of a new side trail, rehabilitation of three trail heads, signage and a picnic area.

The city of Bridgeport in Wise County received $20,000 towards the Bridgeport Adventure Park. The project includes renovation of .13 miles of existing trail and a new park entrance sign.

Mineola Economic Development Corporation in Wood County received $200,000 towards the International and Great Northern Recreational Hiking and Biking Trail. The project includes a new 1.1 mile linear biking and pedestrian use trail with railroad ballast, a trailhead, benches, culverts, erosion preventing wing wall and signage.