Pierre, S.D. - Gov. Dennis Daugaard has awarded Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funding to several cities, state parks and the Black Hills National Forest totaling approximately $985,000. The five-person citizen RTP Advisory Council reviewed the applications and made the recommendations to Gov. Daugaard. The federal assistance program provides up to 80 percent reimbursement for trail-related development and maintenance projects.

The following cities were awarded grants for trail construction and upgrades:

• Aberdeen - Northwest Trail Resurfacing, Phase 2, $68,000
• Belle Fourche - River Walk and Bike Path Repair, $60,000
• Claremont - Recreational Walking Path, $9,750
• Hurley - Lake Hurley Recreational Trail, $112,000

Mobridge - Riverfront Trail Improvements, $16,800

Additional grants were awarded for trail improvement projects at the following locations: Big Sioux Recreation Area Trail, George S. Mickelson Trail, Black Hills Snowmobile Trail System, Spearfish Falls Trail, the Black Hills National Forest for motorized trail repairs, Black Hills RC&D for Trail Ethics Education and Eagle Cliff Ski Association for trail signs.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to award these grants to project sponsors around the state who have demonstrated a commitment to improving our communities, parks and recreation areas," said Gov. Daugaard. "Their efforts will be a benefit to South Dakota’s future generations."

The Recreational Trails Program is funded by the Federal Highway Administration and administered in South Dakota by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. The funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund, and represent a portion of the motor fuel excise tax collected from non-highway recreational fuel use.

For more information on this program, contact Randy Kittle, grants coordinator, at 605.773.5490 or by e-mail at:randy.kittle@state.sd.us.

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