The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $6.17 million in state and federal grants during its May meeting in Austin to fund 21 recreational trail construction and maintenance projects across Texas.
Announced by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) on June 1 in the official release, the funding will be distributed to various municipalities, state parks, and conservation groups to improve both motorized and non-motorized trail infrastructure.
According to TPWD officials, the competitive grant program funds a diverse mix of wilderness preservation and structural trail renovations. Among the largest non-motorized allocations, the Hill Country Conservancy was awarded $300,000 to construct a two-mile natural surface extension for the second phase of the Violet Crown Trail in Hays County.
The newly established Palo Pinto Mountains State Park in Palo Pinto County secured $300,000 to build out six miles of multi-use natural surface trails as part of its phase-two recreational infrastructure.
The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition received $499,999 to renovate a 10-mile motorized trail at the Escondido Draw Recreation Area in Crockett County, a project that includes installing plumbing, electrical systems, and new restroom facilities.
The grants also target accessibility and safety upgrades in urban and suburban sectors. In Bexar County, Universal City was issued $297,904 to build a 0.85-mile concrete path for the third phase of the Cibolo Creek Recreational Trail.
Texas A&M University-Central Texas in Bell County received $299,994 to add an accessible trail segment, trailhead kiosks, and wayfinding signage to the Forge Trail System.
Local recreation spots will also see immediate maintenance, such as the City of Boerne’s $300,000 project to replace an aging timber bridge on the Old No. 9 Trail in Kendall County with a 120-foot steel structure.