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Trail Construction Grant Application

The 2022 Trail Construction Grant Program is currently open to receive applications for funding trail projects under the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund. All municipalities in Morris County are qualified and encouraged to apply for funding.

Please note there had been several changes to the 2021 Trail Grant Program including the addition of new funding categories, application procedures and materials, and program requirements.

We encourage all applicants to attend the Program Workshop on Tuesday, May 24 to learn more about these changes and the 2022 Trail Grant application process.

How to Apply

Step 1.Pay attention to the deadlines

These deadlines must be met for consideration for the 2022 Trail Grant Program:

Schedule and attend Pre-Application Meeting with Program Administrator prior to application deadline, July 29, 2022.
By June 30, 2022 (Thursday) – submit Letter of Intent(PDF, 353KB) along with all supporting documentation.
By July 29, 2022 (Friday) – submit completed application specific to type of project - Phase 1 - Design & Permitting Grant(PDF, 480KB) or Phase 2 - Construction Grant(PDF, 482KB)

Step 2.Attend Trail Grant Program Workshop

A Program Workshop will be held virtually on Tuesday May 24, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The Workshop will review overall program changes for 2022, updated application process, and other program requirements.

Join the Workshop online or call +1-408-418-9388, Meeting number (access code): 263 327 80258.

Step 3.Attend a Pre-Application Meeting - REQUIRED

All applicants are required to attend Pre-Application Meetings so that staff can guide your project accordingly, simplify the application process, and familiarize you with details of the program. Pre-Application Meetings will be scheduled from May through July 2022.

All Pre-Application Meetings will be held virtually. Contact the Program Administrator Denise Chaplick at 973-326-7605 or [email protected] to schedule.

Step 4.Fill out and submit Letter of Intent

Submit the Letter of Intent(PDF, 353KB) to [email protected] by Thursday, June 30, 2022 by 4:00pm.

The Letter of Intent documents ownership of the property where proposed project will be constructed and provides an initial estimate of project costs and grant requests. Deed verification is required.

Step 5.Fill out the application that applies to you

Download the correct type of application to your computer, then fill out in Reader or Acrobat.

2022 Phase 1 - Design & Permitting Grant Application(PDF, 480KB) (for design and permitting phase)
2022 Phase 2 – Construction Grant Application(PDF, 482KB) (for minor or major construction projects)

Follow these instructions:

Application Submission Instructions(PDF, 233KB)
Construction Cost Estimate(XLSX, 26KB) (Applies ONLY to Phase 1: Design & Permitting, and Phase 2: Minor Construction)

Use these materials to complete your Trail Grant Application:

U.S. Forest Service Trail Fundamentals-Design Parameters Matrix(PDF, 5MB)
Penn Trails LLC Handout – Sustainable Trail Planning & Management Strategies
Sample Resolution(PDF, 10KB)

Step 6.Submit the Grant Application

Submit 3 copies of the application (1 original and 2 copies) along with one electronic copy of the application via CD by Friday July 29, 2022 at 4:00 PM.

Address your applications to:

US Mail
Denise Chaplick, Trail Grant Program Administrator
P.O. Box 1295
Morristown, NJ 07962-1295

In-person delivery or overnight use:
Denise Chaplick, Trail Grant Program Administrator
300 Mendham Road
Morristown, NJ 07960

Step 7.Answer questions from staff

The Program Administrator may contact applicants to clarify information submitted with your application. Applicants should be prepared to respond to questions and provide additional information as requested.

Contact Program Administrator

Please contact Denise Chaplick, Trail Grant Program Administrator at (973) 326-7605 (office), (862) 217-0420 (cell), or [email protected] for information on the program or application process.