BISMARCK – The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department Recreational Trails Program recently allocated about $1 million through the Federal Highway Administration to five outdoor recreation projects, according to department information.

The projects include a multi-use trail for which the Watford City Park District requested $235,008. The project will be an adaptive single-track trail next to the McKenzie County Athletic Park. Designed for year-round use by hikers, bikers, runners and cross-country skiers, the compacted natural surface trail will wind through 71 acres of park district property with gentle grades and switchbacks, making it accessible for all abilities while blending seamlessly into the landscape. With optional skill-building elements such as berms and bridges, the trail will allow beginners to develop confidence and outdoor skills before moving on to the nearby Maah Daah Hey Trail.

Snowmobile North Dakota received funding toward its $250,000 request to maintain the state’s 2,700-mile snowmobile trail system. The funding will go toward acquiring grooming equipment and providing for operations to keep trails smooth, safe and rideable.

While the Parks and Recreation Department expects each project to receive full funding as requested, final award amounts cannot be confirmed until the full appropriation is received in March 2026.

Other funded projects include the Flasher Historical and Recreational Trails Project, for which the City of Flasher requested $219,070; a pathway for pedestrian and bicycle access, for which the Lincoln Park District requested $103,845; and trail improvements at Little Missouri State Park, which is a $249,072 project of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department.

The program received 20 applications, totaling $3.9 million in grant requests. This is the largest amount ever requested in the program’s history, the department stated. The next round of applications is tentatively scheduled to open in April 2026.

The Recreational Trails Program is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. The program is administered at the state level through the Parks and Recreation Department, and federally through the Federal Highway Administration.