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Trail Construction Grant Application

The 2023 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 the Trail Construction Grant funds two separate types of projects, including either Design & Permitting or Construction projects. There are separate applications for each. Be sure to download the correct type of application for your grant submission.

Specific changes to the application process for this year (2023) include application format, type of information being requested, and the addition of application instructions and checklist.

Each type of application includes three components. The first is the application form, which is completed as a fillable form along with the information requested integrated. A complete applicant includes one comprehensive document that is submitted as a single electronic document and hard copy.

The second component of the application are instructions that provide specific directions as to what is being requested and what should be provided in each section of the application. Do not submit the instruction with your application.

The third component of the application is a checklist that outlines all sections of the application and can be used as a way to verify all the required information and materials have been provided. This is for your purposes only. Do not submit the checklist with your application.

We encourage all applicants to attend the Program Workshop on Tuesday, May 23 to learn more about these changes and the 2023 Trail Grant application process.

How to Apply

Step 1.Pay attention to the deadlines

These deadlines must be met for consideration for the 2023 Trail Grant Program:

Schedule and attend Pre-Application Meeting with Program Administrator prior to July 7, 2023.
By June 30, 2023 (Friday) – submit Letter of Intent(PDF, 958KB) along with all supporting documentation.
By July 28, 2023 (Friday) – submit completed application specific to type of project by utilizing the instructions listed in step #5 below.

Step 2.Attend Trail Grant Program Workshop

A Program Workshop will be held virtually on Tuesday May 23, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The Workshop will review overall program changes for 2023, updated application process, and other program requirements.

Join online
Meeting number: 2633 484 8882
Password: NFc9pBRH4N9

Join by phone
+1-408-418-9388
Access code: 263 348 48882

2023 Trail Grant Fact Sheet(PDF, 204KB)

Step 3.Attend a Pre-Application Meeting - REQUIRED

All applicants are required to attend Pre-Application Meetings so that staff can guide your application accordingly, and familiarize you with details of the program. Pre-Application Meetings will be scheduled from May through July 7, 2023.

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, 958KB) to [email protected] by Friday, June 30, 2023 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. Utilize the instructions provided to complete each section of the application. Also use the checklist provided to verify all sections of the application are complete before submission. Do not submit instructions or checklist with your application.

Follow these instructions for Design & Permitting Applications:

2023 Design & Permitting Grant Application(PDF, 447KB) (for design and permitting phase)
Design & Permitting Grant Instructions(PDF, 376KB)
Design & Permitting Grant Checklist(PDF, 349KB)

Follow these instructions for Construction Grant Applications:

2023 Construction Grant Application(PDF, 451KB) (for minor or major construction projects)
Construction Grant Instructions(PDF, 891KB)
Construction Grant Checklist(PDF, 279KB)

Use these resources to complete your Trail Grant Application:

U.S. Forest Service Trail Fundamentals-Design Parameters Matrix(PDF, 5MB)
Sample Resolution(PDF, 10KB)
Construction Cost Estimate(XLSX, 26KB) (Applies ONLY to Design & Permitting and Minor Construction)
American Trails: Advancing Trails Webinar Series
Introduction to Trail Planning
Introduction to Trail Design and Development
Introduction to Trail Management

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 by Friday July 28, 2023 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.