1616 - HERITAGE FUND - Non-Motorized Trails - FY26
Funding Opportunity Details

Heritage Fund

Pre Application Deadline: Jan 11, 2026 11:59 PM

Final Application Deadline: Feb 1, 2026 11:59 PM

Description

• Non-Motorized Projects

  Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT) invites State, County, Tribal, Municipal and Non-Profit agencies to submit a grant application for non-motorized recreational trail uses. This fiscal year ASPT received $100,000 to distribute for this purpose. Non-Motorized trail uses include activities such as hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, etc. Projects may include: 

   

  • Development and/or maintenance of existing trails including trail heads and trail facilities.
  • Acquisition Projects, development and/or maintenance projects.
  • Design and engineering costs 
  • Trail work to encourage all populations to enjoy the outdoors such as people with disabilities & aging populations.
  • Developing and coordinating youth development programs where sponsors are actively inviting youth to participate in projects.

   

  Unfortunately, the following items are not eligible under this funding opportunity: 

   

  • Trail Planning including the development of local or regional plans. 
  • Landscaping and irrigation where landscaping is defined as the addition of trees, bushes, shrubs, cacti, grass, flowers, or rock to enhance an area.
  • Administrative or overhead costs, or costs associated with this grant application preparation.
  • Costs incurred prior to Project Approval including design and engineering 
  • Monies in the Heritage Fund shall not be used to make improvements on federal lands. 

   

  Overview summary:

   

  • $25,000 minimum request and $50,000 maximum request
  • The Heritage grant is a reimbursement grant, meaning the sponsor must be able to pay for the project costs in full as they are incurred.  
  • Heritage grants do not require any matching funds, however, applicants may receive additional scoring points when matching funds are present. 
  • The applicant (Sponsor) must have title, adequate control (fee or easement) of the project area or approval from the land manager.
  • A pre-site visit may be conducted prior to award of funds, however, a site visit is not required in order to apply for funding. 
  • ASPT anticipates that this will be a competitive funding cycle where not all proposals will be funded. Several factors are used in determining the award amount to each applicant including but are not limited to; available funding, number of applicants, past grant history, and evaluation score. Please see attachments for more information about how proposals will be scored. 
  • Heritage funds have a mandatory term of public use which varies based on grant specifics (typically 15 years or less, unless using funds to purchase land). 

   

  Project Requirements:

  • ASPT expects that sponsors are taking substantive action within 90 days of receiving the Approval of Proceed letter. Substantive action could include the release of a Request for Proposal to procure equipment or services, submission of claims for other grant related expenses, or completion of other milestones. 
  • Quarterly status reports are required. Reimbursement of claims will be withheld if status reports are not up to date. 

   

  Eligible Agencies: 

  • State, and Tribal agencies
  • Cities, Towns, Counties and non-profits.
  • Third party applicants: Organizations can also develop agreements with eligible project sponsors (i.e. public land managers) to act as “third party” applicants.  Third party applicants may coordinate all phases of the project and receive direct reimbursement from State Parks with appropriate documentation from the eligible applicant/project sponsor.

   

  HOW MANY APPLICATIONS CAN AN ENTITY SUBMIT PER CYCLE?

  1. An entity cannot apply for more than one Heritage non-motorized grant.
  2. An entity can also apply for one Recreational Trail Program non-motorized grant or one Recreational Trail Program trail maintenance grant.

   

  DEADLINE

  Pre-applications are due January 11, 2026 11:59pm

  Applications are due February 1, 2026 11:59pm

  Projects will be reviewed and scored by staff. Staff recommendations will then be forwarded to the Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT), the Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission (AORCC), and the State Parks Board for review and approval. Do NOT start your project until you have received a fully signed agreement and Approval to Proceed.