Funding for trails and other strategies to create bikeable, walkable communities is available through two California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) grant programs. Caltrans is now accepting applications, and the deadline to apply is April 1, 2010. The two grant categories are: 

1. Environmental Justice grants: Promote community involvement in planning to improve mobility, access and safety while promoting economic opportunity, equity, environmental protection and affordable housing for low-income, minority and Native American communities.
2. Community-Based Transportation Planning Grants: Coordinated transportation and land use planning that promotes public engagement, livable communities, and a sustainable transportation system which includes mobility, access, and safety.

Each program has $3 million total available for grants for the FY2010-11 year; individual grant requests are capped at $300,000. Check with Caltrans to access the Grant Guidelines, application, a toolbox and other helpful information. Applications are due by April 1, 2010, to the local Caltrans District office. For more information on Environmental Justice grants, contact Marlon Flournoy, 916.651.6889 for Community-Based Transportation Planning grants, contact Russ Walker, 916.651.6886.

To learn more about other trail projects in California, visit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Western Regional Office.