Community associations in the municipality play a significant role in operating and maintaining recreational trails to support healthy living and recreation. These grant programs are to support the work of these associations.
Recreational Trails Grants Program is available to eligible applicants as per Administrative Order Number 2020-011-ADM Respecting HRM’s Grant Programs for Active Transportation and Recreational Trails. The program was established to support the municipality's recreational trails objectives that are implemented in conjunction with community associations.
Summary of eligible applicants. Detailed eligibility is outlined in the AO 2020-011-ADM and the respective Grants listed below.
- The applicant has written permission from the landowners.
- Applicant is a member of Nova Scotia Trails, eligible for their Group Trail Insurance Coverage, or has obtained an equivalent Commercial General Liability Insurance Coverage of at least $5,000,000.
- Applicant is demonstrating broad/ diverse mandate and by-laws aligned with all clauses outlined in the HRM By-Law P 600 respecting Municipal Parks and other By-Laws as applicable.
- Applicant demonstrates commitment to construct and maintain the facilities managed at a standard that is safe to all users permitted on the trail. An operational plan and budget for maintenance beyond construction are highly recommended to prove commitment.
- Applicant demonstrates recent (within the past year) local community engagement and consultations Applicant has not defaulted/ bridged Grant(s)’ requirements in the past years by:
- Recreational Trails Grants Program is composed of three available grants. Please follow the links below to access grants’ terms and conditions, eligibility and project evaluation criteria and to submit an application. Applicants are eligible for one or more grants pending on the type projects proposed.
- Recreational Trails Capital Grant
Submission Deadline for 2026 -2027: September 1, 2025
Recreational Trails Capital Grants are awarded to Grant Recipients for eligible new recreational trails construction costs only (bricks and mortar type work) as well as project planning and design to support new construction. Other operational expenses, outside of construction and planning are not eligible under this program (i.e. photocopies, late pay charges, office expenses, marketing expenses, brochures, media relations etc.)
Below is a link to the complete Recreational Trails Capital Grants application which outline eligibility, evaluation criteria, terms and timelines.
Recreational Trails Capital Grant Terms outline eligibility, evaluation criteria, terms and timelines.
To be considered, applications and supporting documents required must be received on or before September 1, 2025.
Download on your desktop the 2026-2027 Recreational Trails Capital Grant Application.
Complete the info requested and submit along with required documents by email at: hogankr@halifax.ca
- Recreational Trails Re-Capitalization Grant Program
Submission Deadline for 2026 -2027: September 1, 2025
Recreational Trails Recapitalization Grants are awarded to eligible applicants for engineering studies, engineering redesign and tendering packages, mandatory structural inspections, construction projects to re-instate or upgrade eligible recreational trails and their structures and amenities to current standards and guidelines. Other operational expenses are not eligible under this Program (i.e. photocopies, late pay charges, office expenses, marketing expenses, brochures, media relations etc.).
Recreational Trails Re-Capitalization Grant Terms outline eligibility, evaluation criteria, terms and timelines.
To be considered, applications and supporting documents required must be received on or before September 1, 2025.
Download on your desktop the 2026-2027 Recreational Trails Re-Capitalization Grant Application.
Complete the info requested and submit along with required documents by email at: hogankr@halifax.ca
- Recreational Trails Maintenance and Operations Grant Program
Submission deadline: March 30, 2025
Email: martinem@halifax.ca
Recreational Trails Maintenance and Operations Grants are awarded by the Halifax Regional Municipality to eligible applicants as outlined in the Administrative Order Number 2020-011-ADM Respecting HRM’s Grant Programs for Active Transportation and Recreational Trails and the 2025 – 2026 Recreational Trails Maintenance and Operations Grants Terms and Conditions.
Recreational Trails Maintenance Grants are awarded to Grant Recipients to maintain eligible recreational trails and their infrastructure and amenities to an accessible and/or safe standard for public use. These funds are intended to address the day-to-day maintenance needed to sustain the existing infrastructure by repairing normal wear and tear.
Applicants must refer to the Evaluation Criteria section in the 2025-2026 Recreational Trails Maintenance and Operations Grants Terms and Conditions to support their application and provide the required documentation, according to the type of project, at the application time.
To submit a proposal, download and save the application package to your computer. To be considered, applications and required supporting documents must be received on or before the deadline posted to martinem@halifax.ca.
2025-2026 Recreational Trails Maintenance and Operations Grant Application Package:2025-2026 Recreational Trails Maintenance and Operations Grant Application
Note: The Active Transportation Maintenance and Operations Grant Terms and Conditions and application package can be accessed by following the link: 2025 – 2026 Active Transportation Maintenance and Operations Grant
Groups cannot submit applications or duplicate expenses with the Active Transportation Maintenance and Operations Grants for the same facility, even if some is AT corridor and some recreational trails.Recreational Trails (RT) Grants Recipients can follow the links below to access requirements and templates for each grant's reporting and disbursement request.
To arrange other methods to submit the reports and/or supporting documents, please contact:
Emma Martin, AT Community Projects Coordinator
Public Works - Active Transportation
martinem@halifax.ca
C: 902-499-6742Interim Grant Disbursement Request Reporting - due January 31st
Prior to final disbursements of the Contribution Amount, Grant Recipients shall, at least 30 days prior to the date they require the disbursement, submit an Interim Report with a Grant Disbursement Request and the supporting documents:
• copies of all paid invoices, including HST (if applicable);
• a copy of all receipts for eligible expenses to which the Contribution Amount was applied; and
• the contractors’ certificate of warranty, transferrable to HRM, as appropriate.
Please save the appropriate report template to your desktop, fill out the information required and send it by email to HRM Offices at: martinem@halifax.ca
Interim Grant Disbursement Request Report – due on or before January 31stFinal Reporting and Grant Disbursement reconciliation due on or before March 1st
Grant Recipients shall submit a Final Report and Grant Disbursement Reconciliation 30 days after the end of the Project, or the termination of their Agreement, and shall include:
copies of all/remainder (if some were submitted with the Interim Reporting) paid invoices, including HST (if applicable);- copies of all/remainder (if some were submitted with the Interim Reporting) paid invoices, including HST (if applicable);
- a copy of all/ remainder (if some were submitted with the Interim Reporting) receipts for eligible expenses to which the Contribution Amount was applied; and
the contractors’ certificate of warranty, transferrable to HRM, as appropriate.
Please save the appropriate report template to your desktop, fill out the information required and send it by email to HRM Offices at: martinem@halifax.ca
Final Grant Disbursement Report - due on or before March 1st