Grants

Thank you for your interest in our Fiscal Assistance Programs. All over the state, Utah's citizens have reaped tremendous benefits from the funding available through these programs and our hope is for that benefit to continue for future generations.

As we look around our great state, we see many fine facilities that our neighbors depend on for their recreational enjoyment that were constructed in whole or in part through grant funds administered by Utah State Parks. Some confusion seems to linger, however, with regard to the use of this grant funding and the process through which funds may be made available. To clarify some of the confusion as it applies to the four major grant programs that are available to help communities and public land agencies add to the recreational estate we all need and enjoy, these programs are: the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the federal Recreational Trails Program, the Utah Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Program and the state Trails and Pathways Program.

Both the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program and the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) are federally funded programs that were established to encourage and assist government agencies in creating high-quality public outdoor recreation facilities and areas. LWCF funds have successfully been used in Utah to construct golf courses, swimming pools, parks, and a whole host of similar facilities. Likewise, RTP funds have been used for non-motorized and motorized trail development, trail maintenance projects, educational programs to promote trail safety, and trail related environmental protection projects.

The Utah Off-highway Vehicle Trails program makes funding from off-highway vehicle registrations and a small share of the state motor fuel tax available to federal agencies and to political subdivisions of the state, and to organized user groups, for the construction, improvement, operation, or maintenance of publicly owned or administered motorized trails and facilities. Similarly, the state Trails and Pathways Program is a state funded program that makes funding available to any federal, state, or local government entity for the planning, acquisition, and development of non-motorized recreational trails. These trail opportunities can be found in many communities, and on publicly managed lands across the state.

We encourage you to look through the attached information and share it with others. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the appropriate program coordinator.