News Release 531

NINETEEN MISSOURI TRAIL PROJECTS RECEIVE MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION
Federal grant dollars will help construct, restore trails

Volume 34-531	Contact: Connie Patterson
(For immediate release)	573-751-1010

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 5, 2006 -- Gov. Matt Blunt announced today that 19 trail projects in Missouri will receive more than $1.34 million in funding through the federal Recreational Trails Program.

The Recreational Trails Program is a federally funded grant program for trail-related construction, maintenance, restoration and development. In Missouri, Recreational Trails Program funds are administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

"Investment in trails make an important contribution to our quality of life. These trails bring recreational opportunities for family outings and provide stronger economic opportunities for Missouri communities," Gov. Blunt said.

The 19 grant recipients were chosen from 61 applications and were selected based on recommendations from the Missouri Trails Advisory Board, which represents diverse trail interest groups. The grants were awarded based on the results of a competitive scoring process and the application's suitability under funding provisions included in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). At least a 20 percent match is required by the applicant, and grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis. A funding requirement targets 30 percent of the funding for motorized trails, 30 percent for non-motorized trails and 40 percent for diversified trail use.

Following is a list of Recreational Trails Program grant recipients, along with the projects and grant amounts:

Citizens Memorial Healthcare Care Foundation, SENIORLINK Recreational Trail, Bolivar, Polk County, $40,720
City of Cottleville, Podhorn Memorial Trail, St. Charles County, $81,400
City of Lee's Summit Parks and Recreation, phase two of McKee Park Streamway, $100,000
City of Ozark Parks and Recreation Department, phase four of Finley River Trail, $100,000
City of St. Peters Parks Department, Woodlands Park Greenway Trail project, $100,000
City of University City, Heman Park Section of Centennial Trail, $98,972
City of Warsaw, phase two construction of Riverwalk, $99,030
Clay County Parks Department, Little Platte Trail Project in Smithville, $100,000
Friends of St. Joe State Park, equipment purchases for trail maintenance, St. Francois County, $9,990
Mark Twain National Forest, Chadwick motorcycle and ATV trail maintenance and renovation, Christian County, $73,861
Mark Twain National Forest, Sutton Bluff motorcycle and ATV trail maintenance and renovation, Reynolds County, $48,563
Mark Twain National Forest, Kelly equestrian trailhead development, Oregon County, $13,225
Mid-Missouri Mud Slingers, Cooper Creek ORV Area trail project, Henry County, $61,600
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, rerouting and resurfacing Braille Trail at Elephant Rocks State Park, Iron County, $100,000
Missouri Department of Natural Resources, construct and renovate trails associated with Kelley Branch Stream Restoration Project at Finger Lakes State Park, Boone County, $92,861
Missouri Dirt Riders/Friends of St. Joe State Park, skid loader and other equipment purchases, St. Francois County, $99,015
Monroe County Commission, trail and trailhead in Florida, Mo., Monroe County, $18,707
Ozark Trail Association, trail maintenance equipment for various counties, $4,820
Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Jordan Creek Greenway -- Loren Park Trailhead, $99,920

For more information about the grant program, call Connie Patterson at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 573-751-1010.

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News Release 531

NINETEEN MISSOURI TRAIL PROJECTS RECEIVE MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION Federal grant dollars will help construct, restore trails

NINETEEN MISSOURI TRAIL PROJECTS RECEIVE MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION
Federal grant dollars will help construct, restore trails