Date: March 23, 2012
Contact: Sharon Brussell, 435-719-2142
Grand County will receive funding from the "Connect Trails to Parks" (CTTP) program of the National Park Service (NPS) for projects to enhance the Lions Park Transit and Trail Hub, located at the intersection of Utah Highways 128 and 191 just north of Moab, Utah.
CTTP granted $99,996 for the planning, design and implementation of informational and interpretive displays, and another $36,643 as matching funds towards construction of the non-motorized pathway from the City of Moab to Lions Park. This project was financed in part to commemorate both the National Park Service Centennial in 2016 and the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System in 2018.
The 2012 CTTP Awards will provide a total of $934,000 to fourteen projects nation-wide where national historic and scenic trails intersect with national parks and other federal facilities. Because of its proximity to the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, the Slickrock National Recreation Trail, Arches National Park and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas, the Lions Park project was well suited for the grant program. Marian Delay, Executive Director of the Moab Area Travel Council, stated "Grand County is excited to receive two of the CTTP grants".
Over the past four years, individuals from Grand County, Moab City, the NPS and BLM, the Lions Club, Trail Mix, and the Moab Trails Alliance have partnered to develop Lions Park as a trail and transportation hub. These groups will work with a consultant hired using the NPS grant monies to develop interpretive and trail signs, which are scheduled for installation during 2014.
The Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program of the NPS provides technical support to community groups and agencies working to protect natural areas and to enhance recreational opportunities. Marcy DeMillion, Utah RTCA Field Manager said, "It's exciting to see the design of Lions Park completed and the partners working toward installation of interpretive and directional signs, the final planning element left to consider at Lions Park."
