SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock Parks and Recreation is seeking a grant to develop walking trails in the park.

Mary Messer, park director, said the park applied for the grant, which is available through the state Department of Community and Economic Development, at the end of July.

The grant would provide $120,000 with a $24,000 match also needed.

As a part of the Northwestern Butler County Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan in the late 2000s, a survey conducted in and around Slippery Rock asked what residents would like to see in parks.

“One of the top requests was to have walking trails,” Messer said.

When the grant opportunity arose, Messer said it was the right time to apply and work to make trails possible.

She said it will be safer for people to walk on the trails rather than on park roads.

“That’s the main thing that I think our park lacks. It would be a great addition,” Messer said.

The trail plan has four phases.

Phase one would connect the park office to the softball fields. Phase two would connect the softball fields to the football field and amphitheater. Phase three would connect the park office to the football field and amphitheater.

A fourth phase would venture out into more distant parts of the 65-acre park.

The total length of all the trails would be 2 miles. They will be 8 feet wide, made of gravel and have benches placed alongside. The estimated cost of all four phases is close to $219,000.

With the grant, the park will be able to complete the first three phases. This will be about 1.5 miles of trail.

Messer said the park may find out if it will get the grant in October.

“We just have to wait and see,” she said.

Messer hopes to be able to seek bids in January and start construction in March or April. She said the trails should be complete by October 2014.

Eventually, Messer said she would like to work with Slippery Rock University students to have signage placed along the trails identifying where they lead as well as nearby plants and wildlife.