Think Big: Brainstorming to Fund Your Trails Projects

1
Think Big Brainstorming to Fund Your Trails
Projects

• Cecily Harris, Financial Services Manager
• San Mateo County Department of Parks

2
Why Brainstorm About Funding?

• Implement your trail project.
• Coordinate planning and construction schedules.
• Plan for potential funding source grant
  deadlines.
• Plan for staff work plans.
• Respond to elected or appointed official
  inquiries.
• Respond to public or media inquiries.
• What else?

3
Brainstorming Your Trail Project Questions to Ask

• What kind of trail are you creating?
• Where is your trail?
• What are special features of your trail?

4
More Brainstorming Questions

• What is the surface of your trail?
• What is special/unique about your trail?
• What user groups are involved or potentially
  involved?
• Who are other prospective partners?
• What are some other issues to consider?
• What Havent I Mentioned On This List?

5
Continue Your Brainstorm Phases of Trail Funding
Needed

• Preliminary Planning
• Master Plan
• Design Development
• Permits and Consultations
• Construction Documents
• Construction
• Phases
• by segment
• by trail or by trail amenity
• How else could you separate the project into
  phases if needed?

6
Other ConsiderationsTrail Project Amenities

• Interpretive Signs
• Restrooms
• Parking
• Trailhead
• Drinking Fountains
• Launch Ramp
• Bike Racks
• Kiosks
• Lights
• Could any of these be funded by other sources?

7
Typical Funding Sources

• Local, Regional, State and Federal Grantmaking
  Agencies.
• Foundations, Corporations and Individual Donors.
• Parks Recreation Taxes, Developer (In-Lieu)
  Fees, General Fund, and Redevelopment Agency.
• Project Partners such as Friends Groups,
  Concessionaires, and Lessees.
• Project Neighbors I.e. Families or
  Corporations.
• What are some others that you have used?

8
Other Funding Sources

• Federal earmarks.
• Mitigation.
• Community fundraising events.
• Iron Rangers.
• What Else Have You Considered?

9
Trail Project Funding Example

• Mirada Surf (CA Coastal) Trail
• Acquisiton
• CA State Coastal Conservancy
• CA State Parks Parks (Per Capita)
• CA State Parks (Land and Water Conservation Fund)
• Construction
• CA Resources Agency (Env. Enhancement Mitigation
  Program)
• CA State Land Commission (T/V Command Oil Spill)
• CalTrans (Bicycle Transportation Account)
• CalTrans (Congestion Mitigation Air Quality
  Improv. Program)
• CA State Parks (Recreational Trail Program)

10
Trail Project Funding Example

• Coyote Point (S.F. Bay) Trail
• Planning Permits
• San Mateo County Department of Parks
• ABAG (SF Bay Trail Grant Program)
• Construction
• CA State Parks (Prop. 40 Per Capita Bond Act)
• CA State Coastal Conservancy
• ABAG (SF Bay Trail Grant Program)
• City of San Mateo Redevelopment Agency
• SF Bay Trail Grant Program
• City of San Mateo Poplar Creek Golf Course

11
What Should Do You Do Next?

• Gather More Information!
• Get to Know the Grant/Project Officer(s).
• Learn about other projects that have been funded.
• Get Community Support.

12
Your Next Steps

• Prioritize which grant application(s) to submit.
• Start now especially on tasks that take longer
  to complete.
• I.e. Resolutions, Letters of Support, and
  Community Meetings.
• Create Bombproof Cost Estimate and Timeline.