$873,000 grant awarded to trail improvements

This week the National Park Service announced that grants have been awarded for 17 trails projects across the National Park System.

Trails across the country will receive funding from the “Connect Trails to Park” grant program for infrastructure needs, promotions, interpretation and other needs, with award amounts totaling $873,000. The “Connect Trails to Park” grant program was established in 2008 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the National Trails System.

“The infrastructure improvements these grants provide translate into better experiences for trail and park visitors,” said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. “It’s a wonderful way to commemorate this anniversary decade of the National Trails System.”

The 17 funded projects restore or improve existing trails and trailhead connections, provide better wayside and interpretive services, encourage innovative educational services, support bridge and trailhead designs, and provide planning services for important trail gateways.

One of those projects includes $36,909 to develop the Twin Arches Connector Trail for the Twin Arches National Recreation Trail in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

Some of the other trails receiving grant money include:

* The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

* The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

* Various Appalachian Trail projects in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and in New Jersey

* Also, $100,000 has been awarded to various national forests to "build and support capacity in the USDA Forest Service for a Trail to Every Classroom" involving the Appalachian National Scenic Trail

For more information on the National Trails System, please click here.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.