The Fargo Park District is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $242,000 grant from the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The grant will support the construction of a new trailhead facility at Lions Conservancy Park.
The funding will allow the Fargo Park District to improve facilities at the nature park including the construction of an open-air shelter, concrete parking lot, additional lighting, and trailhead maps. Additionally, the project will add two miles of crushed gravel trail to connect Lions Conservancy Park to Iwen Park in south Fargo. The project is expected to create more cohesive trail connectivity and enhance recreational opportunities for the Fargo community.
“The Fargo Park District is committed to enhancing the quality of life for our community through the development of recreational spaces that encourage outdoor activities and connectivity,” says Tony Schmitt, Fargo Park District parks director. “This grant will enable us to provide a vital link between two popular parks and move us closer to our ultimate goal of creating a comprehensive trail system that supports health, wellness, and outdoor community engagement.”
The Recreational Trails Program, an 80/20 matching grant program, provides funding for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. It supports a variety of initiatives, including the construction of new recreational trails, restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities, trail linkages, purchase and lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment, land acquisitions, and trail accessibility assessments.
This year’s Recreational Trails Program received 20 applications totaling $3.5 million in project fund requests, with approximately $1 million allocated through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This round of funding prioritized projects that aimed to increase trail connectivity, focusing on the “last mile” connections that are crucial for connecting people and places.
The Lions Conservancy Park trailhead project is expected to commence in the spring of 2026 and be completed by fall of the same year. Funding for the grant is contingent upon federal funding from the FHWA.
Lions Conservancy Park is a wooded nature park located along the banks of the Red River at 1221 El Cano Drive S., Fargo, N.D. 58104. It features several miles of wooded trails, a rustic amphitheater stage, and plenty of opportunities to spot birds and other wildlife. For more information visit FargoParks.com or call 701-499-6060.
