East Bay Trail Project Recommended For Grant Funds By CA State Parks

EAST BAY, CA — A East Bay Regional Park District trail project is among seven local recreational trail projects California State Parks has recommended for a total of $4.68 million in federal grant funding.

Cities such as Glendale, Napa and Riverside applied for the funding in hopes to improve the quality of life for their communities by enhancing access to the outdoors, State Parks said in a news release. State Parks’ Office of Grants and Local Services conducted a competitive review process and recommended the projects to the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program.

The program helps states develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 Authorization provides funding for the program.

Here are the seven projects recommended by California State Parks:

Bay Trail Gap Closure to Martinez: $917,784

The East Bay Regional Park District applied for the grant to fund the construction of an approximately 0.5-mile of Class I trail to close the gap in the San Francisco Bay Trail and the Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail within the city of Martinez in Contra Costa County.

Lake Berryessa Shoreline Trail: $281,600

With the funds, the nonprofit group Tuleyome Napa will construct approximately 3.1 new miles of Lake Berryessa Shoreline Trail's Pope Canyon Trail portion with decks, fencing, gates, benches, bridges, crossings, retaining walls, signage and trail markers in the city of Napa.

Brand Trail System Expansion: $440,000

The City of Glendale applied for the grant to fund the construction of three new hiking trails, including drainage crossings, retaining walls, fencing and signage, totaling approximately 3 miles. In addition, renovation of an existing 2,000 linear foot trail throughout Brand Park.

Shady Lane Trail Development: $369,000

County of Los Angeles Parks applied for the grant to fund the construction of approximately 525 linear feet of new meandering multi-use natural dirt trail with a trailhead, interpretive signage, trail access point bollards, retaining wall, fencing, landscaping and upgraded irrigation that will connect Loma Alta Park to the existing Loma Alta Staging Area within the city of Altadena.

Mexican Mine Trail: $422,400

The U.S. Forest Service- Tahoe National Forest applied for the grant that will fund the construction of approximately 10 miles out of the 17-mile Mexican Mine Trail, connecting the community of Forest City to the towns of Downieville and Goodyears Bar.

Gage Canal Trail: $1,400,000

City of Riverside, Parks and Recreation applied for the grant to fund the construction of approximately 2 miles of Class I paved trail and approximately 1.3 miles of a parallel decomposed granite trail with solar lights, drinking water, seating, signage, pavement markings, gates, bollards and other trail support amenities.

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Access: $849,216

The Olivenhain Municipal Water District applied for the grant that will fund the construction of approximately a 0.5-mile new link between two trails at the Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve located in the city of Escondido in San Diego County.

The RTP program requires a minimum 12 percent match derived from local sponsors and state funds. FHWA must approve project recommendations before State Parks can execute grant agreements with these local agencies. Prior to forwarding these projects to FHWA, each recommended project must comply with the National Historical Preservation Act of 1966 (Section 106), National Environmental Policy Act and be listed on the State Transportation Improvement Plan. Compliance with these requirements can take approximately nine months to a year to complete.

After the local sponsors complete the three federal requirements listed above, applications are sent to FHWA for final review. There is a 30-day final approval window once FHWA receives the applications from State Parks.