The Outdoor Recreation Grant Program assists local governments in acquiring parkland and developing or redeveloping outdoor recreation facilities in local and community parks throughout the state.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/01/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Metro Regional Parks and Greater Minnesota Regional Parks are not eligible for funding under this program. Funding for designated regional parks and trails is available from the Metropolitan Council and the Greater Minnesota Regional Park and Trails Commission.
There are two sources of funding for the Natural and Scenic Area Grant Program: federal and state funds. Federal funds come from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Federal funding available for FY 2025 has not yet been allocated but should be at least $2.5 million for the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program and the Natural and Scenic Areas Grant Program.
Funding Information
The maximum grant award is $350,000 (for a total project of $700,000). The minimum grant is $10,000 (for a total project cost of $20,000).
Eligible Projects
- Acquisition of land for future development of outdoor recreation facilities. Before the close of the grant, there must be public access, including parking and funding acknowledgement signs. Recreation facilities must be developed within three years of the date of acquisition.
- Development, redevelopment, or rehabilitation of outdoor recreation facilities on land owned by the applicant. Ownership must be fee title or permanent easement.
- A combination of land acquisition and development, redevelopment, or rehabilitation of outdoor recreation facilities.
Eligible Recreation Facilities
One or more of the following major recreation facilities must be included in a proposed project:
- Boat/Canoe Access Sites
- Campgrounds
- Fishing Piers/Shore Fishing Areas
- Skating Rinks/Parks
- Nature Study/Observation Areas
- Picnic Shelters
- Playgrounds, including nature playgrounds
- Sports Fields and Courts
- Swimming Beaches and Outdoor Pools
- Splash Pads
- Trails (non‐motorized internal park trails.
Eligible Recreation Support Facilities
The following support facilities are also eligible for funding as part of a grant application that contains at least one facility from the eligible recreation facilities list above.
- Change houses, restrooms, shower buildings and warming houses
- Fencing, lighting and signs
- Landscaping and natural area restoration
- Park roads and parking areas (may not exceed 40% of the total project cost)
- Fixed park furnishings such as benches, drinking fountains, grills, picnic tables, trash receptacles and fire pits
- Walkways or accessible routes that connect one facility to another.
Eligibility Criteria
- Cities, counties, and townships.
Note: The applicant must be the current or intended owner and manager of the property to be acquired or developed. Multi-organization collaboration is not required for this program.
For more information, visit DNR.
