Kay Ivey awards $1.64 million to enhance trails

0
145
Photo Credit: ADECA

On Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey announced awards of nearly $1.64 million to improve outdoor recreational venues in Alabama. Funds from the federal Recreational Trails Program will be used to build, restore and improve trails in eight communities across the state.

“Alabama’s outdoor trails are an excellent invitation for individuals, groups, and families to get outside and enjoy our state’s natural beauty,” stated Ivey. “I am proud to award these funds and create more opportunities for Alabamians and visitors to enjoy outdoor recreation in our beautiful state.”

The funds were made available by the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) administers the awards.

“Trails and recreational facilities add so much to the quality of life in Alabama communities,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “Seeing a well-kept and well-used trail or other recreational facility relays to everyone that this is a community that takes pride in itself and its people. ADECA is pleased to join Governor Ivey in supporting these trail projects.”

Gov. Ivey awarded grants to:

·       Brundidge has received a $200,000 grant to resurface with asphalt and extend the trail at Ramage Park and expand the parking area.

·       The Calhoun County Commission was awarded $300,000 to construct a trailhead campsite with water, sewer, and electric hookups at the former Fort McClellan Army base in Anniston. The site offers about 20 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding.

·       Cleveland will receive $90,148 to construct a walking trail, new gate, and benches at the Cleveland Family Recreation and Wildlife Habitat area. The project will include building a boardwalk across a pond.

·       The Colbert County Commission was awarded $244,952 to expand the Alloys Park campground by adding 17 campsites with hookups, a parking area and sidewalks. The campground is located at the Wilson Lake compound of the Tennessee River.

·       The City of Cullman received a $300,000 grant to construct a partially lighted motorized trail for golf carts at Palomino RV Resort at Burrow-Hamilton Farm. The 170-acre park is located off Cullman County Road 222 west of Interstate 65. It offers recreational vehicles and other campers opportunities to fish, paddle, swim, play pickleball and basketball, and more.

·       The City of Fayette was awarded $210,000 to construct a ¼-mile-long, 10-foot-wide multi-use trail downtown along an abandoned railroad bed as part of the first phase of the 2.2-mile-long project. The trail will extend from the Fayette Railroad Depot to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

·       Opelika has been awarded $210,000 to construct a multi-use trail along the banks of Pepperell Branch off Waverly Parkway and U.S. Highway 280.

·       Slocomb will receive an $88,032 grant to construct a 1.75-mile walking and bicycling trail and a parking area south of McCullough Road.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) was created in 1998 and is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The RTP provides grant assistance to state and federal agencies and local governments for the acquisition and/or development/improvement of recreational trails and trail-related resources. Examples of eligible trail types include; but are not limited to walking, jogging, cycling, skating, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, off-highway vehicle, and equestrian.

The Federal share of the program is up to 80 percent of total project costs up to the grant ceiling associated with the type of trail and/or trail-related facility. The project sponsor must provide at least 20 percent match in the form of state, local, or private sources, and may include volunteer labor and/or donated materials and/or services.

ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim assistance programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation, and recreation.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.