Georgia Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

Grants to Georgia local governments, and federal and state agencies for recreational trail maintenance, construction, and education. Applicants must submit a pre-application prior to applying. Funding may be used for motorized, non-motorized, water, and multi-use trails. Permissible uses include new trail construction, trail restoration, trail head facilities, and land acquisition for trail purposes.

Nonmotorized Trails: Eligible projects include pedestrian (hiking, running, walking, and wheelchair access), biking, mountain biking, skating, water trail access, and equestrian riding. Types of Nonmotorized Trails for RTP:

1. Diverse use trails for nonmotorized users: A project primarily intended to benefit more than one mode of nonmotorized recreational use, such as pedestrians, bikers, and skaters; or equestrian use in summer and fall and pedestrian uses in winter and spring. A project may be classified in this category if the project also indirectly benefits some other nonmotorized uses (it is not necessary to exclude other nonmotorized uses), but the primary intent must be for the stated nonmotorized uses.
2. Single use trails for nonmotorized users: A project primarily intended to benefit only one mode of nonmotorized recreational use, such as a mountain bike trail. A project may be classified in this category if the project also indirectly benefits some other nonmotorized uses (it is not necessary to exclude other nonmotorized uses), but the primary intent must be for the benefit of a single nonmotorized use. Water trail projects, by federal directive, are automatically single use nonmotorized projects.
   

Motorized Trails: Only recreational trails for vehicles with internal combustion engines, such as off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), or other off-road motorized vehicles are eligible for motorized trail grant funds. Types of Motorized Trails for RTP: 

1. Diverse use trails for motorized users: A project primarily intended to benefit more than one mode of motorized recreational use, such as motorcycle and ATV use; or ATV use in summer and snowmobile use in winter. A project may be classified in this category if the project also indirectly benefits some nonmotorized uses (it is not necessary to exclude nonmotorized uses), but the primary intent must be for the benefit of motorized use.
2. Single use trails for motorized users: A project primarily intended to benefit only one mode of motorized recreational use, such as an ATV trail. A project may be classified in this category if the project also indirectly benefits some nonmotorized uses (it is not necessary to exclude nonmotorized uses), but the primary intent must be for the benefit of a single motorized use.

RTP allocates limited funds for education that promotes trail safety and environmental protection. Education projects must have a direct relationship with an existing recreational trail. Projects can include education programs and/or production of trail-related educational materials (whether for information displays, print, video, audio, interactive computer displays, etc.). Education grants are applied for separately from other trail projects and potential applicants should consult with a Grants Specialist before applying.

Items eligible for reimbursement can be found at https://gadnr.org/sites/default/files/dnr/RTPManualNonmotorizedApril2021.pdf#page=8 and https://gadnr.org/sites/default/files/dnr/RTPManualMotorizedApril2021.pdf#page=8.

More information about eligible types of projects can be found at https://gadnr.org/sites/default/files/dnr/RTPManualNonmotorizedApril2021.pdf#page=12 and https://gadnr.org/sites/default/files/dnr/RTPManualMotorizedApril2021.pdf#page=12.