County grants available for trails, launches
By Robert Cloud
The Waupaca County Greenway Commission is looking to provide grants to local efforts that promote silent sports.
The group provides grants for hiking and biking trails and entry or exit sites for canoes or kayaks.
County Planning and Zoning Director Ryan Brown chairs the commission.
Brown said the purpose of the Greenway Commission is to implement recommendations made in the 2018 Waupaca County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
The 43-page plan examined local safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists and how walking and biking routes can attract tourists and new residents.
The commission’s grants cover 25% of project costs.
In the past, groups were required to pay for everything in advance, then the county would reimburse them.
Now, the municipality or civic group that is sponsoring the project no longer needs to pay for the entire project in advance.
For a $10,000 project, an organization only needs to pay $7,500.
Application process
Brown described the application process as easy and simple.
An online application form is available at Waupaca County’s website under Planning and Zoning/Greenway Commission.
Applicants can be government entities or private organizations.
Funded projects include a trail at Whispering Pines and trails and launches in Marion, Weyauwega and Waupaca.
Because its goal is providing a network of trails throughout the county, the commission gives priority to projects that are connected to other trails.
“We try to spread out our awards as best as we possibly can,” Brown said.
In 2021, the commission gave $25,929 in grants to four projects.
In addition to the online application, groups will need to make a presentation to the commission, which meets almost monthly.
The commission will start accepting applications on April 3 with a deadline of April 28.
Organizations will present their proposals to the commission in early May.