Metro East Park and Recreation DistrictGrant Programs

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Applications for the FY 2026 Priority Paths Grant Program are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting July 9, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. — May 29, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.^*

^*Or until 100% of FY 2025 Program Funds are pledged, whichever comes first.

Eligible applicants for the Priority Paths Grant Program are limited to:

• Madison County Transit District (MCT)
• St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD)
• Alternative Applicant: If a transit district formally declines to apply or fails to apply by 5/1/2026, MEPRD will allow another public agency to apply for the grant. To be eligible, the alternative applicant must have jurisdiction over the entire trail corridor and agree to assume all responsibilities of the primary Project Sponsor as defined in this program, including all requirements for ownership, operation, and maintenance.

To qualify as an eligible project, the primary scope of work must be for the development of a complete and contiguous, non-motorized and fully separated Class I Bikeway, also known as a shared-use path. Additionally, all projects must:

• Identify a preferred alignment or corridor that meets the specific 'Priority Path Zone' objectives, even if the final route is subject to further study and acquisition.
• Must be AASHTO compliant (minimum 10' wide, hard-suraced share-use path).
• Be a fully separated Class I Bikeway.
• Be striped.
• Provide a direct and logical connection between the existing regional trail segments.
• Adhere to ADA requirements.

^*For a complete list of eligible and ineligible project types/components, refer to the application.

Red Zone: Create a direct connection from the interconnected regional trail network found within Madison County, IL to the MCT Confluence Trail. This new segment will also provide connectivity to the McKinley Bridge Bikeway (existing) and the Metro East Riverfront Trail (in-progress). Eligible Trail Corridors that fulfill this objective are as follows:

• MCT Goshen Trail to the MCT Confluence Trail
• MCT Bluff Trail to the MCT Confluence Trail
• MCT Nature Trail to the MCT Confluence Trail
• MCT Schoolhouse Trail to the MCT Confluence Trail
• Alternate direct corridors that fulfill the objective as determined by MEPRD.

Green Zone: Create a direct connection from the interconnected regional trail network found within St. Clair County, IL to the southern terminus of the MCT Goshen Trail at Kyle Road in O’Fallon, IL. Eligible Trail Corridors that fulfill this objective are as follows:

• SCCTD MetroBikeLink Trail to the MCT Goshen Trail via the Old Collinsville Road Trail
• SCCTD MetroBikeLink Trail to the MCT Goshen Trail via the St. Ellen Mine Park Trail
• SCCTD MetroBikeLink Trail to the MCT Goshen Trail via the Shiloh Trail
• SCCTD MetroBikeLink Trail to the MCT Goshen Trail via Rieder Road
• Alternate direct corridors that fulfill the objective as determined by MEPRD.

Map of Priority Path Zones

• The MEPRD FY 2026 Priority Paths Grant Program has a total program budget of $3 Million.
• Eligible applicants with a qualifying project can apply for a grant of up to $1.5 Million or up to 40% of the total project cost, whichever is less (plus, any supplemental funding as detailed in Section 3.1 of the application).
• ^* Refer to the application for complete details and requirements.

The FY 2026 Priority Paths Grant Program is scheduled to open on July 9, 2025. This section will be updated with a list of event awards as they are approved by the MEPRD Board of Directors.

Please check back for updates.

If you have questions about the program or need assistance, we can help! Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact MEPRD if help is needed with verifying eligibility of a proposed event, preliminary application review, or general assistance.

Call (618) 346-4905  or  Send us a message