Dane County Now Accepting PARC & Ride Grant Program Applications

July 06, 2023
Ariana Vruwink, 608-267-8823
County Executive, Land & Water Resources

Program Helps Build Bicycle Playgrounds and Trails Across the Dane County Community

Today, County Executive Joe Parisi announced that the PARC & Ride grant program is back and Dane County is now accepting grant applications. This grant program provides matching grants to communities or organizations interested in developing new regional bicycle playgrounds or regional bicycle/pedestrian trails. The 2023 Dane County Budget has $500,000 in matching funds available through the PARC & Ride grant program. Towns, villages, cities, other governmental units and non-profit organizations are eligible to receive up to 50% of the project costs to offset bike trail or playground design, engineering, and construction costs.

“Dane County has become known for its easy to access bike trails that provide picturesque views and offer an ever-growing network of connections,” said Dane County Executive Parisi. “The PARC & Ride grant program offers an excellent opportunity for us to partner with nonprofits and local units of government to develop and enhance bicycle facilities throughout Dane County.”

Grants will be awarded for the development of off-street shared-use trails including amenities and support facilities, such as trailheads/parking areas, signage, and safety facilities. The grants will also be awarded for the development of regional bicycle playgrounds. A bicycle playground is designed with features to offer a variety of fun obstacles that safely build cycling confidence for kids.

To be considered for funding, trail projects must provide a regional trail connection as identified in the Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan or Bike Dane Initiative. Grant applications to the PARC & Ride program are due Friday, September 15, 2023. The grant guidelines and application forms are available online at: https://www.danecountyparks.com/grants/PARC-Ride.

In 2011, Dane County Executive Parisi started the PARC (Partners for Recreation and Conservation) grant program, which the PARC & Ride program was built on. Since that time, over $5.6 million in county funds have been awarded to 40+ local municipalities and non-profit organizations for developing or repairing bike facilities. Past recipients include the City of Madison for the Capital City Trail, the Village of Oregon for the Oregon to Badger State Trail Bike Path, the Village of Cambridge for the CamRock/Glacial Drumlin Connector, the Town of Westport for the Woodland Drive Trail, and the Village of Cross Plains for the County Highway KP Multi-Use Trail, among many others.