Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP18AP00150
The grant opportunity titled "Implement MISS Multi-Modal Alternative Transportation Plan - Robert Piram Trail in St. Paul, MN" is a discretionary National Park Service (NPS) grant (Funding Opportunity Number: NPS NOIP18AP00150) focused on expanding and completing a key missing segment of the region's alternative transportation network along the Mississippi River corridor. The core goal is to close existing trail gaps between the Dakota County Big Rivers Trail in Lilydale, continuing through Harriet Island Regional Park in Saint Paul, and extending to Kaposia Landing Park in South St. Paul. The result is intended to be a continuous, multi-use, off-road trail facility that strengthens safe, convenient non-motorized travel for walking, biking, and other compatible uses.
A major outcome of the project is the completion of an approximately 15-mile off-road trail route that parallels the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. By stitching together these segments, the project improves direct access to riverfront parks and river-related destinations in Lilydale and Saint Paul while creating a clearer, more seamless experience for residents and visitors moving along the river corridor without needing a car. The emphasis is on making the river easier to reach for surrounding communities and helping people move between parks and riverfront areas in a way that is both practical and enjoyable.
This trail segment is also framed as an important piece of the larger Mississippi River Trail system and is expected to increase connectivity to large portions of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (NRRA). In particular, it strengthens the link between this alternative transportation gateway and the Hastings gateway to the south, helping create a more continuous corridor experience. In addition to basic connectivity, the opportunity highlights the recreational and interpretive value of the route, including expansive views of working river activity and the role of trail signage in improving visitor orientation, recognition of the NRRA, and overall visibility of the national park area. Signage is anticipated to support a better visitor experience by helping people understand where they are, what they are seeing, and how the corridor fits into the broader river and park landscape.
From a public-benefit standpoint, the project is positioned as a way to expand non-motorized access for a wide range of users, explicitly including visitors from underserved communities. The grant narrative ties this access goal to broader transportation and environmental benefits such as reducing congestion and vehicle emissions while also protecting park resources by shifting some travel demand away from cars. The project is described as a high priority action within the MISS Five Year Alternative Transportation Implementation Plan, with the broader objective of building a seamless and recognizable alternative transportation system that reliably gets people to the river without a car and does so in a way that supports long-term resource protection.
Key administrative details include that the funding instrument is a grant, the activity categories are community development and transportation, and the CFDA number is 15.941. Eligible applicants are limited to city or township governments, reflecting the local infrastructure and public access nature of the work. The opportunity was posted by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, with a creation date of May 10, 2018, and an original closing date of May 31, 2018. The award ceiling is $400,000, and the program anticipated making one award, indicating a single-project, targeted investment intended to deliver a specific, high-impact trail connection in the St. Paul area.Apply for NPS NOIP18AP00150
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development, transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Implement MISS Multi-Modal Alternative Transportation Plan- Robert Piram Trail In St. Paul, MN" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.941.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 10, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 31, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Implement MISS Multi-Modal Alternative Transportation Plan - Robert Piram Trail in St. Paul, MN."
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant is posted by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
What type of funding opportunity is this?
This is a discretionary National Park Service (NPS) grant.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NPS NOIP18AP00150.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 15.941.
What are the main activity categories for this grant?
The activity categories are community development and transportation.
What is the overall purpose of the project described in this grant?
The purpose is to expand and complete a key missing segment of the region's alternative transportation network along the Mississippi River corridor by closing trail gaps and creating a continuous, multi-use, off-road trail facility.
What trail gaps is the project intended to close?
The project aims to close existing trail gaps between the Dakota County Big Rivers Trail in Lilydale, continuing through Harriet Island Regional Park in Saint Paul, and extending to Kaposia Landing Park in South St. Paul.
How long is the off-road trail route expected to be when completed?
A major outcome described is the completion of an approximately 15-mile off-road trail route that parallels the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers.
What kind of facility is being developed or improved?
The project is intended to result in a continuous, multi-use, off-road trail facility designed to support safe and convenient non-motorized travel.
What types of non-motorized travel does the project support?
The opportunity emphasizes non-motorized travel for walking, biking, and other compatible uses on a multi-use trail.
How does the project improve access for residents and visitors?
By stitching together trail segments, the project improves direct access to riverfront parks and river-related destinations in Lilydale and Saint Paul and creates a more seamless route along the river corridor without needing a car.
Which parks and destination areas are specifically mentioned?
The narrative specifically mentions Harriet Island Regional Park in Saint Paul and Kaposia Landing Park in South St. Paul, as well as connections associated with Lilydale and the Dakota County Big Rivers Trail.
How does this project relate to the Mississippi River Trail system?
The trail segment is framed as an important piece of the larger Mississippi River Trail system and is expected to increase connectivity to large portions of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (NRRA).
What is the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (NRRA) connection described?
The opportunity states that the project is expected to increase connectivity to large portions of the NRRA and improve recognition and visibility of the national park area through a more continuous corridor experience.
What "gateway" connections are highlighted?
The project strengthens the link between an alternative transportation gateway and the Hastings gateway to the south, supporting a more continuous corridor experience.
Why is signage mentioned as part of the project outcomes?
Signage is anticipated to improve visitor orientation, recognition of the NRRA, and the overall visibility of the national park area, helping visitors understand where they are, what they are seeing, and how the corridor fits into the broader river and park landscape.
What recreational or interpretive value is described for the route?
The route is described as offering expansive views of working river activity and additional recreational and interpretive value, supported by trail signage and improved visitor orientation.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants are limited to city or township governments.
Why are eligible applicants limited to city or township governments?
The opportunity frames the work as local infrastructure and public access in nature, and it explicitly limits eligibility to city or township governments.
What is the award ceiling for this grant?
The award ceiling is $400,000.
How many awards were anticipated under this opportunity?
The program anticipated making one award, suggesting a single-project, targeted investment.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
When was this opportunity created (posted)?
The creation date listed is May 10, 2018.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date was May 31, 2018.
What geographic area does the project focus on?
The project focuses on the St. Paul area in Minnesota, with connections spanning Lilydale, Saint Paul, and South St. Paul along the Mississippi River corridor (and paralleling both the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers).
What public-benefit goals are highlighted in the grant description?
The project is positioned to expand non-motorized access for a wide range of users, including visitors from underserved communities, while also supporting broader transportation and environmental benefits such as reducing congestion and vehicle emissions.
How does the project relate to environmental or resource protection goals?
The narrative connects the trail investment to reducing vehicle use (and related emissions) and protecting park resources by shifting some travel demand away from cars.
How is this project prioritized within broader planning efforts?
It is described as a high priority action within the MISS Five Year Alternative Transportation Implementation Plan, aligned with the objective of building a seamless and recognizable alternative transportation system that helps people reach the river without a car while supporting long-term resource protection.
What is the intended long-term transportation outcome?
The intended outcome is a more seamless, continuous, and recognizable alternative transportation corridor along the river that supports practical, enjoyable, and safer non-motorized movement between parks and riverfront areas.
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