AUSTIN – On Thursday, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved $3.54 million in federal grants for 22 recreational trail 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 spent on motorized recreational trails, while another 30 percent must be spent on nonmotorized trail projects. The remaining 40 percent is discretionary.

The motorized trail projects awarded funding are listed in alphabetical order by county below:

The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition in Crockett County received $386,581 to fund improvements to the Escondido Draw Recreation Area. The grant will fund trail restoration and building educational facilities.

Texas Trails Education and Motorized Management from Medina County received $34,420 to fund an OHV safety education course.

The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition in Upshur County received $188,172 for improvements to the Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area. The funds will go toward renovating 31 miles of trail, adding bridges and digging culverts.

The Sam Houston National Forest in Walker County received $400,000 to develop the Sam Houston Multiple Use Trail by renovating the existing 12 trail miles.

The City of Bridgeport in Wise County received $158,400 to develop Northwest Park. Improvements include renovating 8-10 miles of trail that were damaged by flooding.

The nonmotorized trail projects awarded funding are listed in alphabetical order by county below:

The Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas in Bexar County received $43,953.97 to renovate Bulverde Oaks Trail. Projects include adding a new 1-mile trail.

The City of Texarkana in Bowie County received $130,762 to develop a new “Walk through History” trail in Spring Lake Park with benches and signage.

Friends of Ink Lake State Park in Burnet County received $9,605 to install a composting toilet along the Devil’s Backbone Nature Trail.

The Cameron County Parks and Recreation Department received $137,140 to develop a mountain bike trail at Benavides Park.

The City of Richardson in Collin County received $175,000 to develop the Spring Creek Youth Trail. The grant will fund a new 0.81-mile concrete trail.

Revitalize Comanche, Inc. in Comanche County received $30,455.95 to renovate a 1.3-mile Native American hiking trail in Comanche City Park.

The City of Longview in Gregg County received $200,000 for improvements to the Nature Center and Arboretum trails. Renovations include creating a new 0.78-mile trail with a boardwalk, bridges and benches.

Memorial Park Conservancy in Harris County received $70,250 to continue ongoing maintenance of a 1-mile trail system. Projects include maintain causeway and boardwalk construction, armoring and resurfacing the trail.

The National Park Service – Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Hutchinson County received $162,000 to develop a segment of the Meredith Way Trail. The grant will fund a new 1.5-mile bike and pedestrian trail.

The Sam Houston Trails Coalition in Montgomery County received $200,000 to improve the Richards-Raven Trail Network. The grant will fund development of a new 8-mile equestrian trail.

The City of Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches County received $161,401 to improve the northern part of Lanana Creek Trail with a new stabilized soil surface.

The Sam Houston Trails Coalition in San Jacinto County received $50,000 to develop the Lone Star Hiking Trail. Improvements include renovating all 14 miles of the trail and adding signage, parking, kiosks and traffic control installations.

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department in Travis County received $200,000 to develop the Slaughter Creek Greenbelt Equestrian Trail. The grant will fund a new 2.4-mile equestrian trail and renovation of the existing three trails. Other improvements include mountain ramps and blocks, hitching posts, a creek crossing and a corral.

Travis County received $200,000 to develop Onion Creek Confluence Trail by adding a new 0.57-mile concrete trail with instructional and interpretive signage.

The North Texas Rural Rail Transportation District in Wichita County received $200,000 to develop the Wichita Valley Railway Daylight Trail. The grant will fund resurfacing the 6.5-mile trail with crushed limestone.

The Hutto Parks and Recreation Department in Williamson County received $200,000 for the Hutto Gap Trails Project, which will create a new 1.55-mile concrete trail with bridges and benches.

The City of Poth in Wilson County received $200,000 to develop the Poth Recreational Trail. Projects include creating a new 2.18-mile crushed limestone trail complete with parking, signage, fitness stations, benches, canopies, bike racks and landscaping.