The City of Dawsonville is among more than a dozen municipalities poised to receive thousands of dollars through the state's Recreational Trail Grants program.

Mayor James Grogan said the city would receive $100,000 toward the construction of walking trails going in at Main Street Park behind the Dawsonville Municipal Complex.

"We learned about it two weeks ago. We're not sure when the money will be coming in, but we were told we are getting the grant," he said.

Funding for the grant is provided by the Federal Recreational Grants Program and administered at the state level by the Department of Natural Resources.

The city applied for a similar grant a year ago. That attempt to gain funding was unsuccessful.

"We were very close. We only missed it by about five points," Grogan said. "This time we worked with [the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission] to make sure we were able to get those extra points we needed to get the grant. They helped us prepare the application."

While the plans for Main Street Park are still in their infancy, Grogan said having recreational trails for the community to enjoy has always been a top priority.

"There are several different options we're looking at for the trails," he said.

The city council last week collectively indicated the design firm of Kimley Horne as the favorite.

In the form's March presentation to the council, Kimley Horne representatives boasted a collaborative of specialists within the nationwide company that could develop the entire park in house.

The design showed all play areas on the park's west end along Allen Street and an amphitheater that faces south with open area raised grass seating.

"We'll be voting on the design team at our next meeting. From there, we'll begin work, with the with input from council and staff, with the design firm on exactly what features we want to go in the park," Grogan said.

Final federal approval of the grant is set to take place later this summer. If approved, the city would be required to provide a 20 percent match, which Grogan said would take place through in-kind construction services city staff could perform.

City Manager David Headley said the hope is to have a groundbreaking for the park within the year.