BATON ROUGE – Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco presented the latest Recreational Trails Program awards at the State Capitol on Jan. 24.

Thirty-one grant recipients received a total of $1.4 million from this federally funded program administered by Governor’s Office of Community Programs.

The Recreational Trails Program awards are given to communities and local initiatives across Louisiana to help them improve the quality of life of their residents through various trail programs. The grants support the creation of walking and fitness trails that all Louisiana residents can enjoy. The grants also help restore trails that have become overgrown or need further development.

“Louisiana is a state of abundant, natural beauty,” said Governor Blanco. “These trails are important because they celebrate that beauty by giving our citizens the opportunity to enjoy our lands and waterways in a safe and family-friendly environment.”

Locally, Governor Blanco presented the St. Charles Parish Council with an award of $100,000. The grant will be used to create a bike path on the West Bank of the Mississippi River levee.

This grant will fund the section from Luling to Ama. Accepting the award on the St. Charles Parish Council’s behalf were Chief Administrative Officer Timothy J. Vial and Parish President Albert D. Laque.

The federal dollars awarded will generate more than $350,000 in local matching funds. More than 28 miles of trails will be developed across the state.

In addition to the recreational benefits of the trails, there is also a health benefit resulting from the physical activity they encourage.

In addition to walking and running trails, grants awarded today include trails for canoes, ATV and off road vehicle trails, and those for horse riders and cyclists.