The Environmental Protection Fund Grant Program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage (EPF) is a matching grant program for the acquisition, planning and development, and improvement of parks, historic properties, and heritage areas located within the physical boundaries of the State of New York.
Donor Name: Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
State: New York
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants
Deadline: 07/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Program Categories
- Parks funding is for the acquisition, development and planning of parks and recreational facilities to preserve, rehabilitate or restore lands, waters or structures for park, recreation or conservation purposes and for structural assessments and/or planning for such projects. Examples of eligible projects include: playgrounds, courts, rinks, community gardens, and facilities for swimming, boating, picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping or other recreational activities. Funds may be awarded for indoor or outdoor projects and must reflect the priorities established in NY Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).
- Historic Preservation funding is to acquire, improve, protect, preserve, rehabilitate or restore properties listed on the State or National Registers of Historic Places and for structural assessments and/or planning for such projects. Properties not currently listed but approved for nomination in March or on the agenda for nomination at the June or September State Board for Historic Preservation meeting in the current calendar year, are eligible to apply.
- Heritage Area funding is for projects to acquire, preserve, rehabilitate or restore lands, waters or structures, identified in the approved management plans for active Heritage Areas designated under section 35.03 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law and for structural assessments or planning for such projects where an active management entity has endorsed the project.
Funding Priorities
- Projects that enhance and/or create opportunities for walkable public spaces for recreation, fitness, mental health and well-being, particularly in underserved neighborhoods (i.e., build green space, revitalize existing athletic and recreational facilities, create and enhance amenities at pocket parks, historic properties and community gardens).
- Projects that advance and/or complement transformational projects across the State to enhance sustainability and resilience, especially in underserved communities, to address and prepare for the impacts of climate change. Priority projects would enhance recreation while: fostering stewardship, preserving open space, restoring natural communities, implementing climate resilient infrastructure, and reducing flood risk.
- Projects designed to enhance inclusion by removing barriers, providing accommodation, and expanding visitor access and amenities to welcome new visitors, including those previously marginalized. Examples include: enhanced gateways to parks, trails, and historic sites; signage to improve programming and interpretation with an emphasis on marginalized/underserved populations (i.e., multi-lingual and/or pictorial signage); recreational and interpretive facilities serving people of diverse abilities; accessibility compliance; unisex public restroom facilities; reopening (i.e., modernize, rehabilitate, restore) shuttered recreational or historic facilities in distressed neighborhoods, etc.
- Projects that are undertaken by OPRHP Friends organizations or other partner groups that occur in State Parks or State Historic Sites.
Funding Information
- Total Funding Available: Up to $26 Million.
- Grant awards are capped at $675,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Municipalities
- State Agencies
- Public Benefit Corporations
- Public Authorities
- Not-for-profit Corporations that have tax-exempt status under the IRS code, are current with pertinent federal and state filings, and are pre-qualified in the Statewide Financial System (SFS).
For more information, visit OPRHP.
