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NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University will receive a 2025 Recreational Trail Program grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department following an environmental review and grant agreement.

Dr. David Creech, ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½ Gardens director, and Dr. David Kulhavy, professor in the College of Forestry and Agriculture, serve as principal investigator and co-investigator, respectively, for the project titled "Building a Path to the Future at the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½ Gardens."

"This award proves that ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½ and Nacogdoches can work hand in hand to develop a regionally recognized resource," Creech said. "With 138 acres of gardens and natural areas, wonderful plant collections, miles of trails, and boardwalks and bridges at every turn, this garden is now recognized as a regional resource."

Once completed, the project will rehabilitate nearly seven miles of asphalt trails, 0.5 miles of dirt trails and 370 linear feet of boardwalks and bridges in the Mast Arboretum, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, Gayla Mize Garden and Pineywoods Native Plant Center. New features will include 1,250 feet of new trails and 12 trailhead signs throughout ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½ Gardens.

The total project cost is $356,944, of which the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will contribute $285,004 and ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½ will contribute $71,940.

Originally built with support from federal and state funds over the last 20 years, the trails, which are open to the public daily from dawn to dusk, are maintained by ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½ Gardens staff members and volunteers.

For more information about ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½ Gardens, visit sfasu.edu/gardens.