Hudson River Valley Greenway Conservancy Trail Grant

The Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley administers the Conservancy Trail Grant Program, a public funding initiative established to promote and enhance the trail systems that connect people to the Hudson River’s natural, historic, and recreational assets. As part of its broader mission, the Greenway Conservancy is committed to supporting the development of both land and water trails throughout the Hudson River Valley. These trails form part of the Empire State Trail, the nation’s longest multi-use trail, and are integral to regional efforts to preserve access, heritage, and environmental integrity. The program offers funding for projects that include trail construction, planning and design, rehabilitation or improvement, and recovery or reconstruction following natural disasters. Applicants are expected to align their projects with the goals of the Greenway Trail Program, emphasizing physical and visual access to the Hudson River, connections to the Empire State Trail, and the promotion of environmental education, cultural preservation, and public recreation. Trail proposals that make strategic links to regional networks or designated trails within the Greenway system receive priority consideration. Eligible applicants include municipalities and not-for-profit corporations operating within the Greenway-defined counties of New York State. Applicants must be in good standing with previous Greenway grant awards. For water trail-specific projects, eligible participants must be owners of access sites along the Hudson River or Champlain Canal, with designation as a Greenway Water Trail site required before funds can be disbursed. The designation process includes submitting a request, completing a site visit, and fulfilling necessary SEQR documentation. Awards are available in multiple categories, with maximum grant amounts of $250,000 for construction and disaster recovery, $100,000 for trail improvement, and $75,000 for planning and design. All awards are subject to a dollar-for-dollar matching requirement using non-state funds, and grants are reimbursed following submission of appropriate documentation. The Greenway will not fund overhead, grant writing, or fixed operational costs. Two funding rounds are scheduled annually, with upcoming deadlines on January 30, 2026, and August 7, 2026. Each round begins with a formal posting of updated application guidelines. Applications are evaluated by the Greenway’s Grants Committee based on alignment with legislated criteria, such as natural resource protection, regional planning, economic development, public access, and educational value. Award announcements follow roughly six weeks after the deadline. Applicants must submit a governing board resolution authorizing submission of their application. For municipalities, this requires a local government resolution, while not-for-profits must certify organizational approval. All recipients are expected to use the Greenway logo and acknowledge financial support in public materials. Additional compliance with New York State’s Master Contract for Grants and SEQRA requirements is also mandatory.

Emphasize connections to the Empire State Trail or regional trails; ensure strong alignment with Greenway goals; prepare maintenance and stewardship details; clearly document match funding