Morris Leader

More than $1 million in grants are available for recreational trails in Morris County's 39 municipalities through the 2025 Morris County Trail Construction Grant Program. The program, now in its tenth year, opened its application process today.

An application workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Morris County Park Commission Cultural Center and virtually via Webex. Interested participants can register using the provided form.

"This program proved its value when the pandemic hit in 2020, with trail use surging 200% nationwide and quadrupling in Morris County," stated Deputy Director Stephen H. Shaw, commissioner liaison to the Office of Planning & Preservation. "We are pleased to announce the opening of this year's grant application process to expand this highly popular program."

Since its inception in 2016, more than $6.5 million has been awarded to develop local trails after voters approved dedicating part of the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund for recreational trail development. Recreational facility use remains above pre-pandemic levels.

The 2025 program features revised rules and regulations aimed at improving clarity and application requirements. According to Betty Cass-Schmidt, chair of the Trail Construction Grant Advisory Committee: "The Trail Construction Grant Program helps municipalities expand their trail systems through design and construction grants." She added that "56% of Morris County municipalities have been awarded 61 grants totaling $6.5 million."

Municipalities with an open Design & Permitting Grant wishing to apply for a construction grant must follow specific steps outlined on the official website of Morris County.

Grant awards will be announced before the end of the year.