PRESS RELEASE
For Release – December 14, 2023
Media Contact:
Lauren Pyle, Outdoor Recreation Grants Manager
Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation | Agency of Natural Resources
lauren.pyle@vermont.gov; 802-636-7684
Helping Connect People to Place: Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is Accepting Pre-Applications for the Recreational Trails Program
Montpelier, VT – Want to build or improve a recreational trail in your Vermont community? The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) invites municipalities, non-profits, and other governmental entities to apply for funding through the Recreational Trails Program. In 2024, FPR will award approximately $500,000, funded through the Federal Highways Administration, to build and maintain trails across the state.
Over the past 15 years, the Recreational Trails Program, or RTP, has provided almost $8.5 million in competitive grants to Vermont communities for the development and maintenance of public trails, for both motorized and non-motorized recreation.
“One of the benefits of the RTP grant program is that it supports so many ways for people to get outside,” said FPR Outdoor Recreation Program Manager, Claire Polfus.
“Whether you mountain bike, walk, bird-watch, snowmobile, ski, or do any other activity outside on trails, this grant can help create new trails to explore, rehabilitate existing trails so they are more resilient to extreme weather events and high use, and maintain well-loved trails so that your favorite places to get outside can remain open and accessible.”
Pre-applications for the RTP grants are open through December 30, 2023. Learn more about this opportunity online. Email the Outdoor Recreation Grants Team at ANR.FPRRecreationGrants@vermont.gov with any additional questions.
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The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is charged with oversight and management of Vermont’s natural environment on behalf of the people of Vermont. It is comprised of three departments: the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Fish and Wildlife Department, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.