Implementation

The federal Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside is one of the most directly applicable funding sources for trail and multi-use path improvements. Eligible activities include pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, Safe Routes to School projects, and certain environmental mitigation activities associated with transportation projects.

Within the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) region, agencies pursue TA funding through MAG rather than the statewide Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) competitive process. Projects should therefore be coordinated with MAG and positioned within applicable regional planning and programming processes.

TA funding is particularly appropriate for construction of shared-use paths, bicycle and pedestrian connections, gap closures, crossings, and improvements connecting trails to the surrounding transportation network.

MAG should be an important funding and implementation partner for projects that contribute to the regional active transportation network. Agencies should monitor MAG calls for projects and regional transportation programming opportunities that may support bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

MAG’s Active Transportation Design Assistance Program can also help member agencies advance projects toward implementation by funding feasibility evaluation and preliminary engineering/conceptual design. This can be particularly valuable for projects identified through this Study that have strong regional benefits but require additional project development before they are competitive for construction funding.

Agencies should use these opportunities strategically to move priority projects through the project-development pipeline, with early planning or design assistance establishing the foundation for subsequent construction grant applications.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), administered in Arizona through Arizona State Parks and Trails, provides federal funding specifically for recreational trail projects. Non-motorized projects can include development and improvement of trails and associated trail facilities.

RTP may be particularly applicable to Rio Reimagined projects where the primary function or character of the facility is recreational trail use rather than an on-street transportation facility. The program can also provide an opportunity to fund trail-specific elements that may be difficult to fund through traditional transportation programs.

For the 2026 funding cycle, Arizona’s non-motorized RTP program offered awards up to $150,000, making the program particularly useful for smaller projects, discrete trail improvements, or as one component of a larger funding package.

The Arizona State Parks and Trails Heritage Fund provides another potential source for non-motorized trails and outdoor recreation improvements. Eligible activities include development and maintenance of non-motorized trails and trail-related facilities. State, tribal, county, and local governments, among other entities, can be eligible applicants.

Heritage Fund opportunities may be particularly well suited to trail development, rehabilitation, trailheads, access improvements, and other facilities that have a strong recreational component. Agencies should monitor annual appropriations and calls for projects because available funding and program requirements may vary by funding cycle.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program can support bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure when improvements address documented roadway safety needs and are consistent with an eligible comprehensive safety action plan.

For Rio Reimagined, SS4A may be particularly applicable where multi-use paths, protected connections, intersection improvements, or crossings address safety risks for people walking and bicycling. Projects connecting a trail across or along high-speed or high-volume roadways may be especially appropriate candidates when the safety need is clearly demonstrated.

Rather than presenting a project solely as a recreational trail, agencies pursuing safety funding should demonstrate how the improvement separates vulnerable road users from traffic, addresses a documented safety problem, or provides a safer connection within the transportation network.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) funding can support transportation projects that contribute to improved air quality in eligible areas. MAG administers regional programming of CMAQ funds within the Maricopa region.

Bicycle and pedestrian improvements may be candidates where agencies can demonstrate that the project supports transportation trips that would otherwise be made by automobile and produces an eligible air-quality benefit. Multi-use paths connecting residential areas with employment centers, transit, schools, commercial areas, or other everyday destinations may therefore be stronger candidates than facilities designed principally for recreation.

Agencies should coordinate with MAG regarding current program eligibility, project evaluation criteria, and funding availability before advancing a project specifically for CMAQ funding.

Local funding will remain an important component of trail implementation, particularly for project development, local grant matches, smaller improvements, and projects that can be incorporated into existing capital programs.

Agencies should consider programming priority trail and multi-use path improvements within their capital improvement programs. Local transportation, parks, streets, and other applicable capital funds can be used either to deliver projects directly or to provide the local commitment necessary to leverage larger state and federal awards.

Local funds can also be strategically directed toward preliminary engineering, environmental work, right-of-way, and other preconstruction activities that make a project more competitive for future grant funding.

Trail and multi-use path improvements should also be implemented opportunistically through planned roadway, bridge, and intersection projects. When a planned capital project overlaps a recommended active transportation connection, agencies should evaluate whether the trail or path can be incorporated into the larger project scope.

This approach may allow portions of an active transportation project to be funded through an existing capital project rather than requiring a stand-alone grant. It can also reduce costs by coordinating design, mobilization, drainage, utility relocation, structures, and other improvements.

Agencies should therefore routinely compare the recommended Rio Reimagined active transportation network with their 5- and 10-year capital improvement programs.

Because portions of the Rio Reimagined active transportation network may parallel waterways, drainage corridors, or flood-control facilities, coordination with the Flood Control District of Maricopa County and other drainage agencies should be pursued where projects overlap.

The Flood Control District maintains partnership programs through which eligible agencies can share costs for qualifying flood-control improvements. These programs should not be viewed as direct trail funding; rather, they may create opportunities to coordinate trail improvements with eligible drainage or flood-control projects.

For example, if a drainage project requires grading, access improvements, crossings, or reconstruction along a corridor where a planned multi-use path is also proposed, agencies should evaluate whether the projects can be designed and constructed in coordination. This approach can reduce duplication and allow each partner’s funding to support eligible portions of a combined project.

Where new development or redevelopment occurs adjacent to planned active transportation corridors, agencies should evaluate opportunities to construct trail segments, connections, easements, or related improvements as part of development.

Depending on applicable local policies and development requirements, these improvements may be delivered through development agreements, infrastructure requirements, right-of-way or easement dedication, or other negotiated partnerships.

Private and institutional partners may also provide funding or in-kind assistance for trail amenities, connections, landscaping, or other improvements where projects directly serve major destinations or development areas.

Projects that cross jurisdictional boundaries should be considered strong candidates for joint funding strategies. Two or more jurisdictions may contribute local funds, divide project-development responsibilities, or identify a single lead agency to pursue regional, state, or federal funding on behalf of the larger project.

This approach is particularly valuable for Rio Reimagined because the usefulness of a trail or multi-use path does not stop at a jurisdictional boundary. Demonstrating commitments from multiple agencies can reinforce the regional significance of a project and show funding agencies that there is institutional support for implementation and long-term maintenance.

 Municipal bonds can be issued to finance trail and path projects. These bonds are backed by the government and typically repaid using tax revenues or user fees associated with the facility. Bond financing allows for large-scale projects that may require significant upfront investment that address needs that are identified as unmet community priorities.

Many parks and recreation systems add a capital improvement fee onto an existing user fee when they develop or enhance major recreation facilities. This is usually applied to amenities like trailheads and special-use facilities. The dollars gained either offset the cost of the capital improvement or the revenue bond that was used to develop or enhance the special use facility. Once the capital improvement is paid off, the fee typically expires and is discontinued.

It is important to note that the suitability of these funding strategies can vary depending on the specific project, location, and available resources. A comprehensive funding strategy may involve a combination of these approaches to ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of parks and recreation projects.

Parks and recreation projects can seek corporate sponsorships to secure funding. In exchange for financial support, sponsors may receive branding opportunities, advertising exposure, or other promotional benefits.

Parks and recreation projects can often qualify for government grants from federal, state, and local agencies. These grants are typically awarded based on the project’s alignment with specific criteria, such as connectivity, safe routes, community impact, environmental sustainability, or economic development. The agency can continue to mine for additional grant funding opportunities.

Impact fees are charges imposed on new developments to mitigate the impacts they have on the community, such as increased demand for parks and recreation facilities. These fees are typically collected by the agency and used to fund the construction or expansion of infrastructure like trails and paths.

This is a fund dedicated exclusively for a park system’s maintenance and is funded by a percentage of user fees from programs, events, and rentals. The fee is paid by users and is added to a dedicated fund for facility and equipment replacement.

Partnerships are joint-development funding sources or operational funding sources formed between separate agencies, such as two government entities, a non-profit, a public agency, or a private business and a public agency. Partners jointly develop revenue-producing parks and recreation facilities and may share risk, operational costs, responsibilities, and asset management based on the strengths of each partner. In this approach, entities may provide funding or resources in exchange for specific benefits, such as naming rights, advertising opportunities, or revenue-sharing agreements.

Existing partnership agreements should be updated regularly to ensure the purpose of the partnership, what is being provided, and the terms of the agreement are accurate. New partnerships should be forged as the Department continues to evolve and modernize the parks and recreation system to align with community needs. Ensure that partnerships are fair and equitable to the Department and to the partner with the best interests of the community prioritized.

A preservation tax could be put in place to help fund the acquisition of land around scenic vistas and natural resources. The ability to take advantage or the region’s open space and natural resources was continuously cited as a priority during the community engagement portion of this plan.

Non-profit organizations, foundations, and individual donors can contribute funds to support parks and recreation projects. These donations are often made in the form of grants, sponsorships, or endowments. Philanthropic donations can be essential for funding projects that benefit specific communities or have a social or environmental focus.

 Parks and recreation facilities often generate revenue through user fees, membership fees, rentals, concessions, or program charges. These user fees can help offset the operational and maintenance costs associated with the facilities.

This is an indirect revenue source consisting of individuals donating their time to assist the Department in providing a product or service on an hourly basis. This reduces the agency’s cost to provide services, builds department advocacy, and promotes civic involvement.