A trail construction project on public lands can be quite costly, and it requires resources and partnerships. We’ll take a look at the Erie County Conservation District’s trail expansion and park improvement project in Headwaters Park, a 70-acre public greenspace in Millcreek Township, Erie County, PA, and how all the funding pieces came together to allow more public access to the space. Partnerships are a key component to the success of any project, especially this one. Here we’ll explore the genesis and strengthening of those partnerships, and navigate the grant opportunities available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations. Integral players in the success of the Headwaters Park Improvement project were the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the County of Erie and the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA). Emphasis will also be placed on the “Post-Grant Award” time period, where planning, design, bidding and construction all occur. This session intends to bolster confidence and encourage entities to apply for available trail grant funding.