Overview
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) was created in 1998 and is funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The RTP provides grant assistance to State and Federal agencies and local units of government for the acquisition and/or development/improvement of recreational trails and trail related resources. Examples of eligible trail types include but are not limited to walking, jogging, cycling, skating, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, off-highway vehicle, and equestrian.
The Federal share of the program is up to 80 percent of total project costs up to the grant ceiling associated with the type of trail and/or trail related facility. The project sponsor must provide at least 20 percent match in the form of State, local, or private sources, and may include volunteer labor and/or donated materials and/or services.
Applications may be submitted for the following activities:
- Construction of new recreational trails
- Maintenance and restoration of existing recreational trails
- Development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages for recreational trails
- Provision of features which facilitate the access and use of trails by persons with disabilities
- Acquisition of easements and fee simple title to property for recreational trails or recreational trails corridors from willing sellers
- Assessment of trail conditions for accessibility and maintenance
- Development and dissemination of publications and operation of educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection related to recreational trails
FY 2026 Application Workshop
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), Federal Initiatives and Recreation (FIR) Division, will be hosting an application workshop for the FY 2026 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) in July.
Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Alabama Center for Commerce, 401 Adams Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104 in the 7th floor auditorium.
See the below PDF for information regarding deadlines to pre-register for these workshops, parking deck codes, and contact information:
FY2026 RTP Application Workshop Announcement
Contact
AlabamaRecreation@adeca.alabama.gov
