Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

(Phoenix, AZ - January 23, 2014) - Arizona State Parks is offering funding from the state Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund (OHV) and the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) fund for motorized and non-motorized trail projects. Project sponsors must complete an application package and submit it to Arizona State Parks by the deadline on Friday, February 28, 2014 at 5 p.m.

Workshops to assist interested project sponsors will be held at the Arizona State Parks Board Room, 1300 W. Washington St, Phoenix, on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 10 a.m. for motorized projects and 1 p.m. for non-motorized projects. Project sponsors are encouraged to attend, but it is not required. Reservations are not required. Attendance by teleconference can be arranged upon request.

Eligible project sponsors include governmental entities (cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, state and federal agencies) that have a legal responsibility to provide outdoor recreation related opportunities to the public. A governmental entity may need to secure a signed resolution authorizing the application for a project grant. Organizations, clubs, businesses, and other groups may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible project sponsor and participate as a third party.

There is approximately $1 million in the OHV Recreation Fund and $1.3 million in the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) fund. RTP funds are divided between motorized and non-motorized projects. Motorized projects may receive up to $300,000 in OHV grant funds without a match. Projects requesting more than the $300,000 must match the grant funds over $300,000 equally up to a maximum of $500,000 in total grant funds. Non-motorized projects are capped at $80,000 for grants and $30,000 for the State Parks RTP Trail Maintenance Program. RTP funds require a 6% match and National Environmental Policy Act compliance.

Grant application manuals and forms are available to download from the State Parks website: AZStateParks.com on the Grants Program and Trails Program pages or by contacting Robert Baldwin at (602) 542-7130 or email rbaldwin(at)azstateparks.gov. The deadline for the completed application package is Friday, February 28, 2014 at 5 p.m.

For information about all 27 Arizona State Parks, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703). Campsite reservations can be made online at AZStateParks.com or by calling the Reservation Call Center at (520) 586-2283. Open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. Follow AZStateParks on Twitter and Facebook.