Arizona State Parks has been a partner in developing OHV facilities, promoting interagency coordination, and encouraging user involvement in OHV projects and activities since the OHV Recreation Fund (Fund) was created in 1990. Millions of dollars from the Fund has been distributed to projects all over the state. In 1999 State Parks started receiving (on a consistent basis) additional money for OHV projects from the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP). Then, in 2008 the 1990 OHV legislation was revised and an additional source of funds for the OHV program was created. Users convinced the State Legislature to impose a fee on certain off-highway vehicles to provide additional funds for OHV projects and programs.
These funds have traditionally on been available to governmental entities that manage land used for OHV recreation. In response to user suggestions this latest grant program will be open to any businesses, clubs, and organizations that can establish an agreement with the land managing agency to allow them to make improvements on the agency land. This is an advantage to both partners as it allows the non-agency partner to receive funds directly from State Parks and removes the burden of contract and grant administration from the agency. This will result in improved facilities for the users installed more efficiently. Of course, agencies are still encouraged to submit their own projects.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the “2012 Statewide OHV Program Project Funding Fact Sheet” for a comprehensive overview of the Statewide OHV Program and grant application process. The grant manual and application forms (.doc format) are available to download below.
A grant application workshop to answer questions about the application process and Statewide OHV Program will be held on Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 1 pm in the State Parks Board Room, 1300 W. Washington St., Phoenix. No registration is necessary. Attendance via conference call is available upon request.
2012 Statewide OHV Program Project Funding Fact Sheet (
71 KB PDF)
2012 Statewide OHV Program Project Funding Manual ( 1MB PDF) or Word Version (
959 KB DOC)
2012 Required Forms & Checklist ( 134 KB DOC)
2012 Project Scoring Criteria Sheets ( 37 KB DOC) Example ( 130 KB DOC)
2012 Cost Breakdown Sheets ( 164 KB DOC) Example ( 246 KB DOC)
The Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund (Fund) (A.R.S.§28-1176) has been in existence since 1991. The Arizona Legislature appropriated .55% of state’s annual vehicle gas tax revenue to support the Fund. In 2009 new OHV legislation was enacted to provide more regulation of OHV usage and additional funds to support law enforcement and facility development. All vehicles weighing less than 1800 pounds and designed primarily for travel over unimproved terrain are required to display an indicia (sticker) distributed through the Department of Motor Vehicles. The $25 cost of the sticker is added to the OHV Recreation Fund. State Parks receives 60% of the money in the Fund and the State Parks Board is required to examine applications for eligible projects and determine the amount of funding, if any, for each project.
The 109th Congress enacted the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). It authorizes the Recreational Trails Program (from 2005-2009) as a Federal-aid program, and codifies it in Federal statutes under section 206 of title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C. 206). The program provides funds for all kinds of recreational trail uses, such as pedestrian uses (hiking, running, wheelchair use), bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snow-mobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles. This program has received funding since 2009 at the 2009 level under continuing resolutions of Congress. Arizona State Parks is the agency responsible for administering RTP funds in Arizona. Each state develops its own procedures to solicit projects from applicants, and to select projects for funding, in response to motorized recreational trail needs within the state. Forty-four percent (44%) of Arizona’s RTP funds are available for motorized trails projects, while another forty-four percent is available for non-motorized trail purposes.
The Statewide OHV Recreation Program is administered by State Parks staff under the direction of the Arizona State Parks Board, with the assistance of the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Group (OHVAG). The Board directed the OHVAG to establish funding priorities and evaluation elements that reflect the high priority needs of motorized trail users. Criteria to evaluate and fund project applications are consistent with the priorities established in the Arizona Trails 2010 Plan and the state OHV statute (A.R.S. §28-1176), and with the mission of the OHV Program:
“to develop and enhance statewide off-highway vehicle recreational opportunities, and develop educational programs that promote resource protection, social responsibility, and interagency cooperation.”
Applicants are encouraged to assess motorized trail recreation needs within their jurisdiction and submit applications that reflect, to the extent possible, priorities set forth in the State Trails Plan. The Statewide OHV Program encourages motorized trail enthusiasts and land managers to work together to identify and provide a wide variety of recreational trail opportunities.
This page was updated on Feb. 1, 2012.
Questions about the program should be addressed to:
Robert Baldwin, Recreational Trails Grants Coordinator
Arizona State Parks
(602) 542-7130
rbb2(at)azstateparks.gov
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