The State Park Road Account Program (SPRA) in Minnesota is designed to enhance access to public recreation facilities by providing financial support to local governments for road improvements. The program supports the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of County State Aid Highways, as well as county, township, and city roads that provide access to state parks, trails, wilderness areas, wildlife management areas, forests, and water access sites. Established under Minnesota Statutes 162.06, the program aims to improve the quality and safety of roads leading to outdoor recreation sites across the state.

Eligible applicants for SPRA grants include county, township, and city governments. Priority is given to projects that focus on improving access to outdoor recreational areas and addressing safety issues. Projects that include a cost-sharing component with the local government will also receive favorable consideration. Eligible activities under the program include right-of-way acquisition and construction-related costs, with reimbursement available for up to 100% of these expenses. However, engineering costs must be borne by the local government, and certain expenses, such as wetland banking credit costs, are not covered.

The SPRA program operates with an annual budget of approximately $5,000,000, available for the 2025 calendar year. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount, and funds remain allocated to approved projects indefinitely to accommodate planning, design, and construction timelines. Grant awards for projects selected during the upcoming cycle will be announced in April 2025.

Applications are due by November 1 and must be submitted as a single PDF document via email to the program administrator. Each submission should include a detailed project description, cost estimates, maps, drawings, and letters of support from both the County Engineer and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) representative responsible for the recreation facility. Incomplete applications or those lacking any of the required documents will be returned without consideration.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will evaluate applications based on criteria such as safety enhancements, improved access to recreational sites, and the volume of traffic associated with the site. Other factors include regional and statewide distribution of projects and funding balance across different DNR divisions. Approved projects will be coordinated with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT), which will assign project numbers and post updates online.

For questions regarding the program or application process, applicants can contact David B. Sobania, the Administrative Engineer, at SPRA.DNR@state.mn.us or 218-203-4389. The program’s goal is to support infrastructure that facilitates public enjoyment of Minnesota's natural and recreational resources, promoting accessibility and safety.