Tennessee's great outdoors is set for a boost as the TDEC Office of Outdoor Recreation dishes out $2.6 million in grants to spruce up parks and trails across the state. Thanks to the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), eight lucky communities will receive a slice of the federal funding pie. According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, this cash burst aims to match local government investments for trail-focused upgrades, think land buys, get trails adventure-ready, and build spots where weary hikers can catch a break.

In a statement obtained by TDEC, Brian Clifford, who helms the Office of Outdoor Recreation, shared the team's excitement to see local trails get the TLC they deserve. The RTP program doesn't just grease the wheels for these green scenes. It unleashes opportunities for everyone to join in on the outdoor fun. And dishing out the details was Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Conservation at TDEC, who spotlighted the ripple effect of these trails—from quality of life and health to giving the local economy a pep in its step.

The nitty-gritty of the RTP funds includes snagging property for new trails, building solid trailheads, laying down fresh paths, patching up the old ones, and helping with maintenance that goes above and beyond the usual upkeep. This federal funding is designed to get down to the grassroots level by providing the necessary monetary muscle for local governments to expand their bouquet of outdoor spaces.

"The RTP program is a critical resource to help expand access to outdoor recreational opportunities in our local communities," Clifford said in the TDEC announcement. Meanwhile, Tidwell offered a nod to the benefits that snake beyond the trails themselves, saying, "These funds will help our local communities do more with their outdoor spaces."