CALLAWAY, Md.—The southern Maryland region will benefit from several recent state grants made via the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The grants total $137,273.
The RTP, administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $64,000 on a reimbursement basis with funds for numerous transportation trail and recreational trail uses. They include bicycling, pedestrian uses (hiking, running, wheelchair use), in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding and four-wheel driving.
The grants that will benefit the tri-county area include:
-- $40,000 to the St. Mary's Co. government for the Three Notch Trail;
-- $8,274 to the DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service for a 3-Point Hitch Chipper for the Southern Region;
-- $24,200 to the DNR Forest Service for a State Forest Equipment Purchase for the Southern Region;
-- $7,299 to the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service for a Walk Behind Mower for the Southern Region;
-- $30,000 to the DNR Forest Service for a State Forest New Hiking Trail Construction and Signage Project for the Southern Region; and
-- $27,500 to the DNR Point Lookout State Park for St. Clements Island State Park Composting Toilets.
According to the state government, SHA partners with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), other State agencies and trail user groups to solicit and select projects that meet statewide trails goals. They include economic development, transportation, environment and public health. Selected RTP grant projects maximize Maryland’s existing trail network usage, and make needed connections - often enhancing existing state designated investment areas including designated Scenic Byways, Heritage Areas and/or Main Streets.
For more information on the Recreational Trails Program, visit http://www.roads.maryland.gov/Index.aspx?PageId=98.