PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Marlena Baker, Outdoor Recreation Grants Specialist
Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
marlena.baker@vermont.gov
State Accepting Pre-Applications for the 2025 Recreational Trails Program
Montpelier, VT—The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Each year RTP offers the opportunity for Vermont municipalities, non-profits, and other governmental entities to receive funds to develop, restore, and maintain public recreational trails.
RTP is a reimbursement program funded by the Federal Highway Administration and is expected to administer approximately $500,000 in this year’s round. Award amounts are dependent on each project’s merits and needs, with a maximum grant award of $50,000 for Standard RTP projects. Grantees must commit to securing a minimum 20% match.
“This year’s program will help recreation managers do more than simply fix problem areas,” said Outdoor Recreation Grants Manager, Lauren Pyle. “A new Climate Resilience Risk Form will also provide perspective in addressing the root causes of trail issues.”
Also new to RTP this year is a Flood Recovery Track, which will support small communities to rebuild and recover from trail damage caused by the July 2024 flood events. This initiative is made possible by the Vermont Recreational Trails Fund, with $74,000 available in this round. These state funds will support projects completed prior to the application period, while the Standard federal RTP funds will cover future trail work. Flood Recovery projects must meet the same eligibility criteria as Standard RTP projects – but the work must be completed between July 10, 2024, and January 31, 2025.
Applicants can submit separate proposals for different work under the Standard RTP Track and the Flood Recovery Track. These separate proposals could be for work at the same location at different times or different locations altogether.
FPR’s Outdoor Recreation Grants Team anticipates funding four to five Flood Recovery projects at an average award amount of $15,000, with some awards being higher or lower.
FPR recognizes this limited amount of funds does not come close to addressing the millions of dollars in damage that have occurred in the past two years; however, one of the goals for this funding is to spread the opportunity to as many communities as possible.
Interested applicants must submit a Pre-Application for FPR to assess the project’s readiness, eligibility, and potential compliance needs. If the project meets the RTP eligibility criteria, FPR will then invite applicants to submit a Full Application. The deadline for Pre-Applications is December 6, 2024.
For more details about Recreational Trail Program grant program and email the Outdoor Recreation Grants Team at ANR.FPRRecreationGrants@vermont.gov with any additional questions.
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