Duck River Recreation Trails

Upgrades are coming to Stoney Lonesome OHV Park and the trails at Duck River Reservoir with the help of two grants totaling more than $743,000.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced a total of $3.3 million in grants Tuesday, with the Cullman County Commission receiving $550,473 and Cullman City Utilities Board $193,092.

The county was awarded the grant to construct a bathhouse and multiple wash stations at Stoney Lonesome OHV Park near Bremen. The 1,456-acre park, which has received previous Recreational Trail Program grants, is a motorized park that accommodates small and large vehicles and has a campground.

The city utilities board will use its grant to construct three trailheads along the 21-mile-long, multi-use trail at Duck River Reservoir. In all, the 18 grants announced Tuesday are aimed at improving or constructing recreation venues in nine municipalities, numerous state parks, a university campus and several other trail systems.

“Outdoor trails lead to healthier minds and bodies, and they are a great investment in our state and communities,” Ivey said in a press release. “I welcome these new or improved trails, and I encourage everyone to visit one and experience the outdoors that Alabama offers.”

The grants were awarded from funds made available to the state from the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the program in Alabama.

“Gov. Ivey and I both applaud those elected officials, individuals and organizations who work so hard to improve recreation opportunities in their communities,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “I am pleased that ADECA is a partner in this process to enhance recreation and make our communities better places to live.”

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which manages Alabama’s state parks, was awarded three grants totaling $564,400.

A $300,000 grant will help build a nature trail for low-powered, reduced-noise motorized vehicles like golf carts, at Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula. A $64,400 grant will enable the department to build a diverse-use trail at Joe Wheeler State Park near Rogersville. The department will use a $200,000 grant to buy trail maintenance and construction equipment for the building and upkeep of trails throughout the state parks system.

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.