Arizona Grant Programs

Motorized and Non-Motorized Grant Program Details

Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT) invites non-profits, clubs, local, regional, state, federal and tribal governments to submit grant applications for all kinds of motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses. Eligible projects could include:

• Trail development 
• Trail maintenance 
• Pedestrian uses (hiking, running, wheelchair use)
• ADA/accessibility 
• Bicycling, equestrian use
• Off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, other off-road motorized vehicles
• OHV law enforcement 
• Trail etiquette and education (safety, environmental and cultural education) 

Grant Administration

This agency is responsible for managing Arizona Grant Programs administered by the Arizona State Parks Board. Current Arizona grant programs include the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Program, Motorized and Non-Motorized Recreational Trails Programs (RTP), and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Program.

All grant programs operate on a reimbursement basis. Reimbursements to grantees are made according to the percentage specified in the participant agreement for eligible expenditures included within the project’s approved scope of work.

Grant administration is accomplished through the development of application guidelines and a priority rating system, the execution of Participant Agreements and Preservation Conservation Easement Deeds with grantees, and the subsequent monitoring of administrative compliance, expended funds, and project work.
Download the 2018 ASP Grant Administration Guidelines.

To assist with this responsibility, the Grants staff works with the following advisory committees:

Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (AORCC)
Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG)
Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT)
Conservation Acquisition Board (CAB)
Natural Areas Program Advisory Committee (NAPAC)

Grant Programs Revenue Sources

Land and Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578) became effective January 1, 1965. The Act provides financial assistance to states, their political subdivisions, and Indian tribal governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress through Public Law 88-578, as amended, and receives its revenue primarily from the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is not being offered for grants at this time.

Recreational Trails Program (Motorized and Non-Motorized Portions)

The 112th Congress enacted the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). It leaves the Recreational Trails Program, a Federal-aid program codified in Federal statutes under section 206 of title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C. 206), unchanged. The program provides funds for all kinds of recreational trail uses, such as pedestrian uses (hiking, running, wheelchair use), bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles. Each state develops its own procedures to solicit projects from applicants, and to select projects for funding, in response to motorized recreational trail needs within the state. The MAP-21 Act provided funding through 2014.

Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund

History of OHV Projects (download Excel doc)

The State OHV Recreation Fund, established in 1991, provides a legislatively set percentage (0.55 percent) of total license taxes on motor vehicle fuel from the Highway User Revenue Fund for OHV management. Approximately $1.5 million is available annually through Arizona State Parks for OHV projects. In 2009, new OHV legislation was enacted to provide more regulation of OHV usage and additional funds to support law enforcement and facility development. All vehicles weighing less than 1,800 pounds and designed primarily for travel over unimproved terrain are required to display an indicia (sticker) distributed through the Department of Motor Vehicles. The $25 cost of the sticker is added to the OHV Recreation Fund. State Parks receives 60 percent of the money in the fund for projects.