County Executive Joe Parisi announced in a press release yesterday that the PARC and Ride grant program is back, and Dane County is now accepting grant applications. The grant program provides matching grants to communities or organizations interested in developing new regional bicycle playgrounds or regional bicycle/pedestrian trails.
The 2023 Dane County Budget has $500,000 in matching funds available through the PARC and Ride grant program. Towns, villages, cities, other governmental units, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to receive up to 50% of the project costs to offset bike trail or playground design, engineering, and construction costs.
Grants will be awarded for the development of off-street shared-use trails, including amenities and support facilities such as trailheads and parking areas, signage, and safety facilities. The grants will also be awarded for the development of regional bicycle playgrounds.
To be considered for funding, trail projects must provide a regional trail connection as identified in the Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan or Bike Dane Initiative. Grant applications to the PARC and Ride program are due Friday, Sept. 15. The grant guidelines and application forms are available online.
