North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation

1. North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation 2014 – 2015 Recreational Trails Program Grant Application Workshop State Trails Program

2. Introduction to the State Trails Program

3. Program Organization North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation State Parks & State Trails Program (STP)

4. The State Trails Program Mission… The mission of this program is to promote sustainable trail planning; to leverage and conserve our natural resources; insure the responsible use of public funds; and to facilitate low infrastructure economic development opportunities across the state. Trails is our inclusive term that includes; hiking trails; bicycling trails; equestrian trails; paddle trails; off-highway vehicle trails; and multi-use greenways.

5. As part of our mission… We are here to help you! • Darrell McBane—State Trails Coordinator • Tim Johnson – Western Trails Specialist • Amy Matisoff – Northern Trails Specialist • Smith Raynor – Southern Trails Specialist • Vincent T. Newman-Brooks – Grants Manager

7. State Trails Program Responsibilities • State trail planning • State parks consulting, planning and technical assistance • Consulting with other partners • Federal grants management

8. Recreational Trails Program

9. Recreational Trails Program The RTP is a federal grant program administered by the State Trails Program. • The funds for this program come from • federal taxes paid on fuel used in • off-highway vehicles. • The intent is to help fund trails and • trail-related projects at the state • level.

10. Funding Source: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) • Web: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/ 2014 Funding: $1.5 million 2015 Funding: Requires federal reauthorization

11. Some of the fine print… • Grant Amount: $10,000 to $100,000 • Required Match: Minimum 25% of grant award • Reimbursement program Public use for at least 10 years Open to government agencies and non-profit organizations

12. Match Requirement • Cash • Force account labor • Volunteer labor • Donated materials, equipment and operator • Land donation—allowable for 18 months prior and during contract • Project planning and environmental compliance costs—allowable for 18 months prior and during contract

13. Permissible Uses • New trail/greenway construction • Trail/greenway renovation • Approved trail/greenway facilities • Trailhead and trail markers • Tools to construct and renovate trails • Land acquisition for trail purposes • Legal, design and permitting costs—up to 10% of grant award

14. Before you apply

15. Sustainable Trail Planning Applications ready for funding include: • What you want to accomplish where and when • Fully developed plan • Trail location • Trail user types defined • Connections to points of interest, other trails and trail facilities • Identify needed lands and engage private land owners • Responsible trail owner/manager • Meets a defined public need • Public review and comment

16. Sustainable Trail Planning? Applications that cause questions during review: • No defined plan identifying trail location, land ownership, users or trail length, width or surface options • Lack letters of commitment from land owners and managers • Don’t have a committed project owner and manager • Questionable source of matching funds • Dead end trails – no destinations • No defined public need or input • Poor maps

17. Pre-application

18. 2014 Special Bulletin • Pre-applications will be accepted for both 2014 and 2015 RTP grant cycles. • Funding for 2014 is secure at $1.5 million –pending rescissions • Funding for 2015 is dependent on federal reauthorization • You may submit individual pre-applications for: • 2014 and 2015 funding • Phased grant projects • An agency or organization can submit multiple pre-applications – but we suggest you provide us a priority as we often only award one grant per agency/organization

19. Pre-application • Gateway to the RTP grant application • Download and/or update Adobe Reader • Open pre-application and save to your computer before you begin work • Will be evaluated peer to peer • Reviewed by trails staff and evaluated by the North Carolina Trails Committee • Qualified applicants will be invited to submit a final RTP application – final applications to be sent to invited applicants in early December 2013

21. Q 10: Grant Year Preference • 2014 • 2015 • 2014 Phased • 2015 Phased • No Preference

23. Q 13: Project Classification • New Trail/Greenway Construction- Unpaved • New Trail/Greenway Construction- Paved • Trail/Greenway Renovation or Maintenance • Approved Trail/Greenway Facilities • Informational Trail Head Sign or Directional Trail Markers • Land Acquisition for Trail Purposes • Combination of the Above • Note: Purchase of Tools/Equipment permitted for new trail construction and/or trail renovation project

24. Q 15: Trail Designation • Authorized State Trails  • Deep River State Trail • French Broad River State Trail • Mountains-to-Sea State Trail • Yadkin River State Trail • N.C. State Park Trails • Designated State Trails • Cape Fear River • Dan River • Davis Creek • South Yadkin River • Upper Catawba River • Local Trails and Trail Networks

25. Q 16: Trail Connections • Connector Trails – connects two existing sections of trail • Extension Trails – extends or lengthens an existing section of trail to a reasonable destination • Trail Network– a 20+ mile system of trails built for a specific user group • Stand Alone/Phase Trails – no existing trail on either end of the project • Forest/Park/School/Community Center Trails – one mile or more • Forest/Park/School/Community Center Trails – less than a mile

26. Q 17: Trail Categories • Motorized Diverse Use • Motorized Single Use • Non-motorized Diverse Use • Non-motorized Single Use—Canoe/Kayak • Non-motorized Single Use—Equestrian • Non-motorized Single Use—Mountain Bicycle • Non-motorized Single Use—Pedestrian

28. Q 18: Project Description • Describe your project: location, users, length, width and connectivity • Physically possible—Can it actually be built? • Legally permissible—Is it legal to build it • how and where you want to? • Economically feasible—Is there a agency • or organization that has agreed to own and • manage this project? Have you • included all potential partners in • this effort? • Maximally Productive—Is there a public need and support for this project? Is this a good use of public funds?

31. Maps • A map is an essential part of the pre-application • It needs to clearly show: • Where the project is located • Length of the project • Connection to other trails, existing and planned • Existing and planned facilities • Structures that will be/are part of the project

32. Future Section N to Stone Mountain Elkin Reservoir w/ Parking and Restrooms 2014 RTP Project – Elkin City Park to Elkin Reservoir – Construct 2.5 Miles of 4’ Wide Natural Surface Trail Elkin City Park w/ Parking and Restrooms Future Section E to Carter Park

33. Pre-application Evaluation • Once your pre-application is received, it will be reviewed by the Trails Staff • The North Carolina Trails Committee • will evaluate your pre-application • Qualified applicants will be invited • to submit a final RTP application for • grant funding

34. Last thoughts on the pre-app • Mapping Programs: • https://maps.google.com/ • http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/explorer-online • All written responses must fit in the allotted space. Do NOT alter the form in any way, including the security rights • Email your pre-application no later than 11:59 pm on November 15, 2013 to the State Trails Program email address

35. THANK YOU! For additional information, please visit: http://www.ncparks.gov/About/trails_main.php State Trails Program