Parks Grants List
California Department of Parks and Recreation: Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Deadline: August 5, 2025
Amount: Up to $6 million
Match: Yes - 50%
Eligibility: Cities, counties, tribal governments, JPAs, park districts, and special districts with authority to acquire, operate and maintain public park and recreation areas
URL: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21360
Acquisition of lands, wetlands, and waters for public outdoor recreation, including new areas or additions to existing parks, forests, wildlife management areas, beaches, and other similar areas dedicated to public outdoor recreation, as well as physical connections among them (e.g., trails, waterways, land between recreation areas, wildlife habitat corridors) may be eligible for assistance.
Development should encompass essential public outdoor recreation activities and the necessary support facilities for public use. Projects could involve a combination of land acquisition and site development. These projects can cater to a diverse range of public outdoor recreation activities and facilities required to enhance the use and enjoyment for the public. These include, and are not limited to: • Community Parks
• Campgrounds
• Playgrounds
• Sport fields and Courts
• Picnic Areas and Open-air Pavilions
• Trails and Tracks for Hiking, Walking, Skating, or Biking
• Water based Recreation Facilities for Swimming or Boating
• Fishing and Hunting Facilities
• Pools and Splash Pads
• Publicly Accessible Nature Preserves or Conservation Areas
• Community Gardens
• Spectator Facilities such as Amphitheaters or Bandstands
• Renovations of Existing Facilities
• Interpretive Signage
California Parks & Recreation/California Natural Resources Agency: Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Fund
Estimated Deadline: TBD Spring 2025
Amount: up to $750,000, aquisition projects can be up to $1,500,000
Match: Not Required
Link: https://resources.ca.gov/grants/environmental-enhancement-and-mitigation-eem Purpose: This program was created by California Streets and Highways Code Section 164.56 (Article XIX, Section 1, of the State Constitution), which authorizes the legislature to allocate up to $7 million each fiscal year from the Highway Users Tax Account (Motor Vehicle Revenues, Section 2100) for environmental enhancement and mitigation projects that are directly or indirectly related to the environmental impact of modifying existing transportation facilities or for the design, construction, or expansion of new transportation facilities. EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities.
The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from the Agency’s list.
Local Parks Grant Program
Estimated Deadline: TBD June 2025
Amount: Min $15,000, max $250,000 in grant awards for the Planning and Development track, and $2,500,000 in grant awards for Implementation Grant track
Match: Not required, but recommended for implementation grants
Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations, California Native American Tribes, Native 7871 Organizations, Land Trusts, Fiscally Sponsored Community Organizations, Foundations, and Local Government Agencies (City, County, Regional).
Local parks include land that is owned or managed by a local city, county, park or community service district, land trusts, regional park or open space district, non-profit organization or foundation, or any other entity other than federal and state agencies. Both indoor and outdoor spaces can be considered. https://artsincaliforniaparks.org/local-parks-grant-program/
This new multi-year grant program intends to create local community connections to California’s rich and diverse cultural history and natural areas outside of California’s state park boundaries. Eligible projects will enhance connections to local cultural history, local parks, open space or natural areas through community events, programming or installations that help to build sustainable community connections, health and well-being. The Local Parks Grants Program will be managed and administered by Parks California.
This program supports the “Outdoor Access for All” initiative led by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, along with the Natural Resources Agency’s “Outdoors for All” initiative, and California State Parks’ Reexamining Our Past Initiative.
California Natural Resources Agency: Youth Community Access Grant Program Estimated Deadline: TBD August 2025
Amount: $25,000 to $500,000
Eligibility: Local, state, and federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; and federally recognized Native American tribes. Eligible projects must serve youth and directly support access to either natural or cultural resources AND meet the criteria for both low-income AND disadvantaged (not one or the other) communities. (See guidelines for criteria details)
URL: https://resources.ca.gov/grants/youth?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Summary: Programs such as the Youth Community Access grant program help advance Outdoor for All, CNRA’s initiative that is expanding parks and outdoors spaces in communities that need them the most, supporting programs to connect people who lack access, fostering a sense of belonging for all Californians in the outdoors, and much more.
To be eligible for funding, projects must meet ALL the following program requirements: 1. Projects must serve youth. For the purposes of this program, youth is defined as a person between the ages of birth and 26 years old. 2. Projects must directly support youth access to either natural or cultural resources. 3. Projects must include design features and program elements to promote youth health, safety, well-being, and comfort.
Parks California: Route to Parks Grant
Estimated Deadline: TBD August 2025
Amount: Parks California anticipates awarding
approximately $1,000,000 with awards averaging $25,000 - 30,000 per grantee.
Match Requirements: No
Eligibility:
● 501(c)3 Organizations
● California Native American Tribes (inclusive of federally and non-federally recognized tribes)
● Native 7871 Organizations
● Fiscally sponsored Community Organizations
● Government Agencies
Link: Route to Parks Grants
Summary:
● Primarily provide transportation to/from California State Parks and beaches;
● Offer a valuable recreational, environmental, cultural, or historical learning experiences;
● Reach underrepresented communities who may face challenges getting to or enjoying parks, and/or lack opportunities to create meaningful connections to nature;
● Address parts of the state with the greatest transportation needs.
Preference will be given to proposals that:
● Include programming and/or experiences at California State Parks that connect people to inland waterways, lakes, rivers, watersheds, and water systems;
● Deliver memorable experiences in nature through collaboration with other stakeholders to build expertise and deliver programs that they alone would not be able to provide;
● Provide participants with multiple meaningful outdoor experiences in parks;
● Strengthen collaboration and partnership with California State Parks;
● Have an innovative and relevant transportation approach for participants.
California State Parks: Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grants Program
Estimated Deadline: TBD October 2025
Amount: Up to $10 million, depending on project scope
Match: Generally 25% match required for most projects
Eligibility: Local and federal government agencies, special districts, educational institutions, federally recognized Native American tribes, and nonprofits
OHV Grants Program Link
Summary: The OHV Grants Program supports the management, maintenance, and enhancement of off highway vehicle recreation areas across California. Eligible projects include ground operations, restoration, law enforcement, and education programs that promote responsible OHV use and environmental protection.
California Department of Parks and Recreation: Outdoor Equity Grant Program (Round 2) Estimated Deadline: TBD December 2026 (est.)
Match: No.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30443
The Outdoor Equity Grants Program (OEP) will increase the ability of residents in low income urban and rural communities to participate in outdoor experiences at state parks and other public lands. OEP grants will improve the health and wellness of Californians by connecting underserved communities to natural areas throughout California.
Cal Parks: Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP)
Estimated Deadline: TBD Spring 2026
Amount: Maximum: $15 million per application, Minimum: $300,000 per application Match: 50%
Eligibility: Cities, Counties, State agencies, Federally recognized Native American Tribes Joint Powers Authorities where all members are otherwise eligible under LWCF. Park districts, and special districts with authority to acquire, operate and maintain public park and recreation areas
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30578
ORLP focuses on communities with little to no access to publicly available outdoor recreation opportunities. ORLP funds the acquisition and/or development of new parks, or substantial renovations to parks in economically disadvantaged cities or towns of at least 30,000 people.
● Projects must be located in incorporated cities and towns with at least 30,000 people. ● Projects must be located within a Census tract that is determined to be disadvantaged per the Climate and Environmental Justice Screening Tool at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov. ● Projects must involve land acquisition or development for outdoor recreation. ● Projects must be outdoor recreation areas and facilities open to the general public and not limited to special groups.
● Projects cannot be within a park/site that has LWCF or ORLP grant funding within the last seven years.
California Department of Parks and Recreation: Habitat Conservation Fund Deadline: 2026
Amount: No minimum or maximum grant request
Match: Yes - 1:1
URL: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21361
Purpose: Nature interpretation programs to bring urban residents into park and wildlife areas, protection of various plant and animal species, and acquisition and development of wildlife corridors and trails.
California Department of Parks and Recreation: Recreational Trails Program Deadline: 2026
Amount: No minimum or maximum grant request
Match: Yes - 12%
Eligibility: Cities, counties, districts, state agencies, federal agencies and nonprofits with management responsibilities of public lands
URL: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24324
The non-motorized RTP funds recreation trail projects for pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians that may also serve as non-motorized transportation corridors.
Arts in California Parks Grant Program
Estimated Deadline: TBD March 2026
Information Webinar: February 25, 2025, at 3:00 PM PT (Register on resources page: https://artsincaliforniaparks.org/resource-hub/grants-program-resources-hub/)
Amount: TBD – Opens 2/18/25 (Last year’s solicitation was $15,000 minimum)
Match: TBD – Opens 2/18/25 (No match required in last year’s solicitation. Match was “encouraged” for implementation projects)
Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations, California Native American Tribes, Native 7871 Organizations, Land Trusts, Fiscally Sponsored Community Organizations, Community Foundations, and Government Agencies (excluding California State Parks and Federal Lands).
Requirements: This year features a streamlined grant application process. Applicants are asked to complete a letter of intent to determine eligibility and assess fit before requiring a full application. All letters of intent will be reviewed, and selected applicants will be invited to submit a complete application. · In order to qualify for this grant program, projects must:
o Integrate art and nature as a catalyst for community connection in local parks.
o Be free and open to the public.
· Projects must involve a collaborative partnership between:
o Nonprofit(s)
o Artist(s)
o Local public park manager(s)
o Eligible partners may include nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored community organizations, California Native American tribes, Native 7871 organizations,
foundations, land trusts, and/or local government agencies.
URL: https://artsincaliforniaparks.org/grants-program/
Summary: The Arts in California Parks Grants Program revitalizes local parks with diverse experiences that foster creativity, community connection, and transform them into vibrant hubs of art, culture, and nature. In 2024, more than $2.8 million was invested to support 31 grant recipients across California. These innovative programs will bring art and cultural activities to local parks, transforming them into dynamic spaces that celebrate California’s cultural heritage and provide memorable experiences for visitors and residents alike.
Regional Approach:
Parks California will use a regional approach to support equitable distribution of grant funds. At least two projects will be funded per region shown on the 2025/26 Grants Program Regional Map. Proposals will be ranked within their region before moving to the next stage. This process will focus efforts on traditionally underrepresented regions, including the North Coast, Sacramento Valley, Sierra Nevada, Central Coast, Central Valley, Inland Desert, and Tribal lands. The final selection process will ensure that recommendations represent regions across the state.