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RANDOLPH – The path to get a new walking trail in Randolph has come to a dead end of sorts.
No further action has been taken on a potential trail project at Randolph’s Veterans Memorial Park, said Josh Rayford of the Randolph Area Foundation (RAF).
A Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) grant of $92,000 was awarded to develop a recreational trail at the park last year. However, the amount was well below what was requested and the total project cost, Rayford said previously of the project.
At that time, a downscaled design was resubmitted and approved by NGPC with the plan for RAF to make up the cost difference.
RAF soon encountered a steep uphill climb to get the project off the ground.
Although NGPC is the state granting agency, the funds provided are through the Federal Highway Administration’s portion of federal motor fuel excise tax paid by users of off-road recreational vehicles.
Using federal dollars comes with a strict set of rules which requires projects to have specific engineering, wildlife and other studies completed. More requirements equals higher cost, Rayford said previously.
RAF decided to withdraw from the grant funding with the option of re-applying for the NGPC grant with the hopes of being awarded the full amount required. The application deadline came and went this fall with no action.
