Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for Public Parks
June 12, 2024
Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for
Public Parks
Congress has established programs to assist constituents—
Nonprofits and other private organizations, though not
including individuals, organizations, tribes, and local
eligible for a subgrant, are encouraged to collaborate with
governments—with projects to establish or upgrade public
an eligible sub-recipient in developing projects.
parks and related outdoor recreation facilities. These parks
and facilities could include athletic fields, courts, trails,
State and Local Assistance Program
playgrounds, community buildings, and others. This In
Under the formula-based State and Local Assistance
Focus includes a list of selected federal grant, loan, and
Program, the Secretary of the Interior (acting through NPS)
other programs that may support such projects.
apportions funds to states. States then award funding to
local units of government and federally recognized tribes
Federal programs provide for parks and related outdoor
for projects that acquire lands and waters for parks and
recreation facilities in a variety of contexts. Some programs
other public outdoor recreation purposes, as well as develop
are specifically focused on outdoor recreation, while others
new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities.
address park and recreation projects within the context of
community planning and development. Other programs
CFDA no. 15.916
may focus on conservation or environmental restoration
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/stateside.htm
initiatives that could affect recreation opportunities for
communities. The following programs vary in scope and
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership
purpose, and do not represent a comprehensive list of all
Under the nationally competitive ORLP program, NPS
potentially relevant programs for a given park or outdoor
awards discretionary grants to urbanized areas meeting
recreation project. For instance, this In Focus does not seek
certain eligibility criteria, with priority given to projects
to include all programs to conserve lands, although in some
located in economically disadvantaged areas and lacking in
cases such programs may provide for uses including
outdoor recreation opportunities. ORLP funds may be used
outdoor recreation.
for the development or renovation of public parks and other
outdoor recreation areas.
Most federal grant funds go to state and local governments,
which in turn may issue sub-awards to other entities.
CFDA no. 15.916
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact federal
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/outdoor-recreation-
agencies, state agencies, or both for information on
legacy-partnership-grants-program.htm
eligibility, the application process, award cycles, and
funding availability. Funding levels for the programs listed
Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance
below vary, and funding availability depends on
The Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program
appropriations. Where applicable, program websites and
(RTCA) assists communities and public land managers in
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers
developing or restoring parks, conservation areas, rivers,
are provided to assist constituents with accessing more
and wildlife habitats, as well as creating outdoor recreation
information about each program. CFDA numbers can be
opportunities. Project applicants may be state and local
used to search for and identify potential funding
agencies, tribes, nonprofit organizations, or citizen groups.
opportunities at https://grants.gov.
NPS and other federal agencies may apply in partnership
with local organizations. This is a nonmonetary program
National Park Service Programs
that provides technical assistance to communities seeking to
The National Park Service (NPS) receives appropriations
accomplish conservation and outdoor recreation goals.
for several programs to support the establishment or
expansion of public outdoor recreation areas, such as parks.
CFDA no. 15.921
https://www.nps.gov/orgs/rtca/index.htm
Land and Water Conservation Fund
There are two types of grants available under the Land and
Land Use Innovation Grant Program
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): the formula-based State
This assistance, provided in partnership with the U.S.
and Local Assistance Program and competitive Outdoor
Environmental Protection Agency, supports the creation of
Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) grants program.
locally based nonprofit organizations (“Groundwork
Trusts”) and their activities to transform brownfields and
By law, only state LWCF lead agencies may apply for
neglected lands and waters into parks, trails, natural areas,
funds. Under both the formula and competitive grant
and greenspace.
programs, states may “sub-award” grants to state agencies,
local units of government, and federally recognized tribes.
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Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for Public Parks
CFDA no. 15.965
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/groundwork-charting-a-
Development, Community Development
more-just-and-equitable-future.htm
Block Grants
This program provides flexible federal funding to states and
Selected Other Federal Programs
localities to support a wide variety of economic and
community development activities. Public outdoor
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Community
recreation, greenspace, and community facilities projects
Facilities Grants
may be eligible for funding.
Community Facilities Grants support projects to construct
or improve community facilities providing essential
CFDA no. 14.218
services to rural residents. Recreational facilities may be
https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/cdbg/
eligible for these grants in limited circumstances. Eligible
recipients include public bodies, federally recognized tribes,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Recreational
and community-based nonprofits.
Trails Program
This program provides funding to states to develop and
CFDA no. 10.766
maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-
both nonmotorized and motorized recreational users. The
facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58)
reauthorized this program through FY2026 under the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside from the Surface
Environmental Justice Government-to-
Transportation Block Grant program.
Government Program
This program provides funding at the state, local, territorial,
CFDA no. 20.205
and tribal levels to support government activities that
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/
provide environmental or public health benefits in
communities disproportionately burdened by environmental
Additional Resources
harms. Park and recreation projects may be eligible.
CRS has a number of products related to grants work, many
of which are listed on the Grants and Federal Assistance
CFDA no. 66.312
page of the CRS website.
https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-
justice-government-government-program
The Assistance Listings page on SAM.gov is the primary
source of information on federal assistance programs. The
U.S. Forest Service, Community Forest and Open
listings include information on eligibility, how to apply, and
Space Conservation Program
matching requirements. Actual funding of specific grant
This program provides financial assistance to establish
programs depends on annual congressional budget
community forests. The purchased lands must be managed
appropriations.
for public economic, recreational, environmental, or
educational benefits to communities and provide public
Grants.gov provides grant seekers with information on
access. Community forests can be owned by local
competitive federal grant opportunities and how to apply
governments, tribal governments, and qualified nonprofit
for them.
entities. The program may fund up to 50% of project costs.
Eric P. Nardi, Senior Research Librarian
CFDA no. 10.689
https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/
IF12687
community-forest/program
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Connecting Constituents with Federal Programs for Public Parks
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to
congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of Congress.
Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of information that has
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12687 · VERSION 1 · NEW