Great Trails State Program

• Municipality
• County
• Regional council of government created pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 160A-470
• Public authority, as defined in N.C.G.S. § 159-7(b)(10)
• Nonprofit entity, provided the entity demonstrates in a manner acceptable to DNCR that the unit or units of local government where the eligible trail project will be conducted have been notified of and support the trail project

Planning and Feasibility

• In-depth corridor study for a trail alignment
• Not an overall comprehensive trail plan for an area
• Includes assessments of all elements in the trail project, including:
  • trail class (paved or natural surface)
  • target users
  • design aspects
  • trail corridor / land needed
  • partners to maintain the trail ensuring the overall feasibility of a trail and/or trail location from a technical, financial, and operational aspect.
• Will be able to lead directly into the design and engineering of the trail

Design and Engineering

• Create a set of design drawings that build upon the/a planning and feasibility study considering all assessments completed
• Provide technical details to construct sustainable trails and typically include surveys, geotechnical study (if needed), design drawings, construction specifications, and maintenance agreements
• Conclude with a set of construction documents that can be used to bid out the project for construction or construct the project

Acquisition

• Acquire land or easements for trail projects
• May include Planning and Feasibility, Design and Engineering, or Construction

Construction

• Construct trails, trail structures or trail amenities
• Trail structures include:
  • bridges
  • boardwalks
  • retaining walls
  • other structures that are necessary for visitors to use the trail to travel from one location to another
• Paddle trail structures include:
  • waterway access points
  • watercraft launch structures
• Trail amenities include:
  • markers
  • signage
  • benches
  • water fountains
  • restroom facilities
  • bathhouses
  • campsites
  • docks
  • boat ramps
  • parking facilities
  • picnic facilities
  • equipment rental facilities
  • other improvements or structures intended to enhance visitor experience for trail users

Maintenance

• Any activity to maintain the usability and sustainability of trails
• Ensuring trails are passable by the users for which they are managed
• Preventing environmental damage resulting from trail deterioration
• Protecting public safety
• Averting future deferred maintenance cost

Project Minimums

• $100,000 minimum for planning and design, acquisition (all types), construction of natural surface trails, and maintenance of natural surface trails
• $250,000 minimum for maintenance of paved trails
• $300,000 minimum for construction of paved trails

Project Maximums

Grants made under this program shall not exceed $500,000 per project.

• Eligible applicants receiving a grant under this program shall provide matching funds based on the tier ranking of the county where the project is located.
• If trail projects is located in more than one county, the match is based on lowest county tier.

• The match may include:
  • cash,
  • fee waivers,
  • in-kind services,
  • donation of assets,
  • provision of infrastructure, or
  • any combination of the above.
• Non-cash matches must be quantifiable and documented.