Recreational Trails Program
Forecasted
Recreational Trails Program supports Kentucky governments and public agencies in acquiring land and developing, restoring, and maintaining trails and related facilities for public recreation.
Funder: Commonwealth of Kentucky
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $25,000–$250,000; 80% RTP funding and 20% local match
Summary: Supports property acquisition, development, and maintenance of recreational trails, trailheads, and trailside facilities in Kentucky.
Key Information: Funded trails and facilities must remain open to the public and maintained in perpetuity.
Description
Kentucky’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federally funded, matching reimbursement program administered by the Department for Local Government (DLG), Office of Federal Grants. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The program supports property acquisition and the development, restoration, and maintenance of recreational trails and associated facilities throughout Kentucky.
RTP supports motorized and non-motorized recreation, including walking, hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, skating, equestrian activities, boating, motorcycling, and off-road vehicle use. Eligible work includes urban trail connections, accessibility improvements, restoration of trail-damaged areas, and qualifying water-trail facilities. The program also allocates funding for education and safety, with preference within shared-use funding for compatible uses and recreational corridor sharing.
