Parks awarded $300,000 to improve trails
Posted/updated on: June 4, 2026 at 3:25 am
SMITH COUNTY – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department awarded $6.17 million in statewide recreational trails grants to improve 21 parks and trail projects across the state. According to our news partner, KETK – $354,000 is set to be distributed between parks in East Texas. The parks will receive the grant money for much needed upgrades.
The Park of East Texas in Tyler – $300,000
The improvements to the Park of East Texas in Tyler include a mile-long trail for motorized traffic like ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes. The 6-foot-wide loop will include trail signs, park furniture, a trail head, a gravel parking lot and entry gate.
Gun Barrel City Park Trails – $54,700
Henderson County has been allotted $54,700 to renovate the trails of Gun Barrel City Park. The improved 5-foot-wide 0.95-mile trail will also allow enough space for motor traffic and be refreshed with recycled asphalt.
In 2026, $3.675 million in National Recreational Trail Funds were given to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Recreational Trails Grants Program. In addition to NRTF funds, $1.59 million of the state sporting goods sales tax was set aside for Texas trail projects.
The NRTF uses a portion of the federal gas tax revenue created by fuel purchases for off-highway vehicles to fund trail construction for a mix of motorized and non-motorized trail projects around the country.
Up to $900,000 of the grant is set aside to support trail improvement projects in state parks.
