Recreational Corridor greenways and trails planning

State funding for intergovernmental agreements and grant agreements that support specific projects identified as high priority a Recreational Corridor for repurposing the abandoned railroads. These are non-competitive grants that fund the specific miscellaneous purposes to manage, conserve and protect Illinois’ natural, recreational and cultural resources, further the public’s understanding and appreciation of those resources, and promote the education, science and public safety of Illinois’ natural resources for present and future generations.

This is the third phase of the DNR-assisted program. Phase 1 covered Northeastern Illinois. Phase 2 covered 10 downstate metro-areas. Phase 3 covers non-metro communities and counties, including: Communities greater than 10,000 population that have not already participated in DNR-assisted northeastern Illinois or downstate metro-area greenway and trail planning. Counties that have not already participated in DNR-assisted Northeastern Illinois or downstate metro-area greenway and trail planning. These counties may participate in the program individually, or in cooperation with one or more other eligible counties. Two or more northeastern Illinois and downstate metro-area coalitions that have (1) completed regional plans (under earlier Phases and (2) demonstrated significant progress in implementing portions of their plans. The goal for this planning is to connect metro-area networks. Interstate coalitions. The goal for this planning is to connect greenways and trails within Illinois to greenways and trails within adjacent states.

1. The applicant, must be a public/quasi-public agency that will be involved in implementing the plan.- Provide the name and address of the applicant, who will accept and disburse the funds and maintain records of their use in a form that can be audited, and the name and title of the manager of the project.
2. The proposal and plan must be developed by an active, organized broad-based coalition of greenway and trail interests and agencies from the planning area who will logically be involved in the development, promotion and implementation of the plan.
o Provide the name of the work group, task force or coalition.
o List the dates, locations and minutes of the past two coalition meetings and the next scheduled meeting.
o Provide the name of the designated “chair” of the coalition.
o Provide a list of the names, titles and affiliations of the coalition members. The coalition should include planning area representatives from:
 City and county government
 Regional planning agency(s)
 State agencies such as Illinois Department of Transportation, Historic Preservation Agency and Environmental Protection Agency
 Non-governmental conservation and recreation constituency/advocacy groups
 Business/community associations
 Recreation agency(s)
 Transportation agency(s)
 Tourism office(s) and economic development agency(s)
 DNR Ecosystem Program Local Partnership Councils
3. The applicant and/or other coalition members must demonstrate cost-sharing commitments (either dollars or in-kind services) to develop the plan. The commitment should be a recognizable item in the applicant’s budget to insure obligation. The suggested total accumulated cost-share is 25-50% of requested funds in order to substantively expand the scope of the plan beyond the capacity of the requested IDNR financial assistance. Provide the amount, source and intended use of each cost-share commitment.- Attach letter(s) or resolution(s) from source(s) formalizing cost-share commitment.
4. The proposal must describe a planning process/methodology that results in prioritized actions for implementation. – Identifies priority greenways and trails in the planning area that are feasible and have apparent sponsors.- Identifies priority activities or projects within the identified greenways (trails, linear parks, land acquisition, etc.), some of which may be eligible for funding through DNR’s existing grant programs. – Considers greenway and trail linkages to attractions and destinations, including DNR, other state sites, an major existing or planned trails, within and nearby the immediate planning area, if applicable.- Propose a schedule with dates (from time of approval) for key plan components. – Outline a budget for requested DNR and cost-share funds.
5. The proposal must include evidence that most major local governments that will be involved in implementing the plan are supportive of greenway and trail planning.- Attach copies of letters or resolutions of support for greenway and trail planning from local governments which cover most of the planning area and other major governmental bodies that must be involved in order to implement the plan. Administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 422-11-3375).