LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting outdoor recreation and recreational trail grant applications for fiscal year 2006 funding for three separate programs.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federally funded grant program for outdoor recreation projects. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, ball fields, soccer fields, swimming pools, picnicking facilities, playgrounds, park acquisition and development, shelter houses, and related support facilities. All projects must encourage outdoor recreation. Project sponsors must be political subdivisions (communities, counties, or natural resources districts) and must be able to verify support for projects and financial means to undertake and maintain the project. LWCF provides reimbursable matching grants for up to 50 percent of the project costs.

Contact Neal Bedlan at (402) 471-5425 or nbedlan@ngpc.state.ne.us to request an application form, instructions and additional information. Applications for the grants must be submitted to the Commission by October 3. Information and applications are also available at http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/programs/lwcf/lwcf.asp. 

The Trail Development Assistance Fund (TDAF) provides assistance to communities to purchase, develop, or maintain recreational trails. These funds are disbursed as a lump-sum grant for no more than 50 percent of the estimated project costs. Applications for the grants must be submitted to the Commission by October 3. Contact Neal Bedlan for information or go to www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/programs/grants/trailgrants.asp for the grant application.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a grant program through the Federal Highway Administration that reimburses political subdivisions (communities, counties, NRDs) up to 80 percent of project costs for trail acquisition, development, major renovation and support facilities. Applicants must have the financial means to undertake and maintain the project and all funding should be on hand as this is a reimbursable grant program. This funding source is for both motorized and non-motorized trail projects and is divided by category; motorized (30 percent of funding utilized for these projects), non-motorized (30 percent of funding) and diversified or shared use trail projects (40 percent).

The fiscal year 2006 application and policies have changed from past years and political subdivisions are required to download the new application and policies at http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/programs/grants/trailgrants.asp  or contact Michelle Stryker for an application packet at (402) 471-5425 or by email at mstryker@ngpc.state.ne.us.  RTP grant applications should be submitted or postmarked to the Commission by October 1.

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