The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for its trails grant programs, including the Bike Path Program and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). These are reimbursement programs and now require a non-refundable application fee.
The RTP program provides funding assistance for acquisition, development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of both motorized and non-motorized recreation trails. It provides, in the form of a reimbursement, up to 80 percent of the eligible costs of approved projects, requiring a minimum 20 percent local match.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- Trail construction and rehabilitation.
- Restoration of areas adjacent to trails damaged by unauthorized trail uses.
- Construction of trail-related support facilities and amenities.
- Land acquisition (easements or fee-simple title transfers).
The deadline for the current round of applications is March 1, 2014.