Benton Parks and Recreation has learned they are getting a big grant from the AHTD that they’ll use to create trails at the new Riverside Park off Exit 116. The AHTD funded four other projects in Saline County as well.
- City of Benton Riverside Trail (Phase 2) – $315,000
- City of Bryant Mills Park Trail Renovation and Expansion – $36,000
- City of Shannon Hills Clayton & Donnie Dr. Sidewalks – $96,000
- Saline County Old River Bridge (Phase 3) – $500,000
- The Crossing at Angel Court Nature Trail in East End – $136,000
See the full list of approved grants here:
The following is the press release from Benton Parks.
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department has announced the award recipients for its Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for 2016. Benton Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce they have been selected as one of the grant recipients.
Under the TAP program, eligible projects can include construction of on-road off-road trail facilities that include sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure.
The RTP is funded through a portion of TAP funds set aside specifically for recreational trails. These funds are eligible for maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, and construction of new trails.
“With this and the first round of grant funds that we were awarded last year ($150,000), we will have close to five miles of trails at Riverside Park.” Says John Eckart, Director of Parks and Recreation. “This Includes one mile at Sunset Lake. 80% of the costs will be covered by grant funds. This is a great start to what we would like to accomplish long term.”
Mayor David Mattingly added “Under John’s leadership, aggressively pursuing grants has proven successful and allows us to optimize our use of taxpayer funds in expanding recreational trails throughout our Parks System.”