Delaware State Parks -- Greenways and Trails

Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund

Established in 1986, the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund Trust Fund was established to provide permanent and steady funding for parkland and park facilities statewide. The Trust's principal must remain intact with only Trust-generated interest being used for park acquisition and outdoor recreation facility development. By law, the Trust Fund corpus or principal may not be spent.

Administered by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Parks and Recreation, $1.5 million of Trust interest is awarded yearly in grants. Fifty percent of the annually earned Trust Fund interest is available for traditional park acquisition and development projects. The remaining fifty percent is available for grants to support new and existing greenway and trail projects.

Who is eligible for Trust Fund Grants?

County and municipal governments and local park districts are eligible to apply for Trust Fund grants. County and municipal applicants my receive matching grants of up to fifty percent (50%) while park districts may receive matching grants of up to seventy-five percent (75%) funding. Partnerships between governmental agencies, non-profit organization, and other non-traditional recreation providers are welcomed and encouraged.

Sponsoring agencies must agree to dedicate projects to public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity and assume responsibility for continuing operation and maintenance.

Funds are awarded on a competitive basis to successful applicants for the following:

park land and greenway corridor land acquisition

construction of outdoor recreation facilities such as playgrounds, ball fields, athletic fields, water-based recreation facilities and other facilities

construction of new trails, paved pathways (not sidewalks), and river walks

lengthening existing trails or pathways

development of trailheads and associated facilities

pedestrian/bicycle road crossing improvements for safety

pedestrian and bicycle bridges

facilities for persons with disabilities

development and installation of trail markers and directional signs

park, trail and greenway plans

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How to apply for grant funding?

All eligible applicants and interested entities will be notified each February that the Trust Fund grant process is beginning. Potential applicants will be informed of the application process and grant guidelines for any particular year. Applications are accepted by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, DNREC, until June 1. Any one interested in receiving Trust Fund information should contact the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation.

Evaluation of grant proposals

Park grant applications are evaluated and ranked by the Division of Parks & Recreation. The Open Space Council is notified of the Division’s recommendations for park grant awards. Greenway grant applications are evaluated and ranked by the Council on Greenways and Trails. Final approval of all grants lies with the DNREC Secretary and Director, Division of Parks & Recreation. The review process is designed to evaluate the quality of the application and select projects which are of most benefit to the citizens of the State of Delaware.

How much money is presently in the Trust Fund?

The principal of the Trust Fund has reached $43 million. Legislative appropriations and a private donation, 21st Century Funds and Real Estate Transfer Taxes comprise the endowments. Yearly, $1 million of Realty Transfer Taxes are deposited into the Trust Fund. $1.5 million of Trust Fund interest is used for this grant program while to remaining interest funds state open space acquisitions and stewardship of state lands.