The Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant Program is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), under the leadership of Secretary Rebecca Tepper. The program supports the acquisition and development of land for public park and outdoor recreation purposes across Massachusetts municipalities. It reflects the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to providing recreational opportunities for all Massachusetts residents, aligning with Executive Order 569, which aims to improve climate resiliency across the Commonwealth.
The PARC Grant Program offers financial assistance to municipalities for eligible projects that involve purchasing parkland, developing new parks, or renovating existing parks. For FY26, the program is a reimbursement-based initiative, meaning municipalities must initially fund the project and later seek reimbursement from EEA. The maximum grant award is $425,000, with reimbursement rates ranging from 52% to 70% of eligible project costs based on the municipality's equalized valuation per capita. Small Town grants, for communities with populations under 35,000, are capped at $100,000 unless the project meets specific transportation and parking criteria. Eligible expenditures include construction, engineering, legal fees, acquisition costs, and related planning expenses.
To apply, municipalities must have an approved or submitted draft of an Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) with all necessary components. Applications must be submitted through an online form by Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Appraisal reports must be emailed separately by the same deadline for acquisition projects. An affirmative municipal vote appropriating 100% of the total project cost is required before a contract can be executed, and final contracts must be negotiated and signed before incurring reimbursable expenses. Projects must be completed, and all funds expended by June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, depending on the grant award’s fiscal year.
The application process includes attendance at a grant workshop (either in person on May 8 or virtually on May 7, 2025), submission of detailed project documentation, and a comprehensive application form. Evaluation criteria include project quality, community demographics, alignment with state recreational goals, outreach to Environmental Justice populations, and consistency with local and state planning priorities. Municipal Vulnerability Program (MVP) communities that meet additional criteria may receive bonus points in the evaluation process.
Specific contact for the program is Melissa Cryan, who can be reached at melissa.cryan@mass.gov or (857) 274-7173. Applicants are strongly encouraged to RSVP for workshops by May 5, 2025, and review the full application guidelines, including required documentation and eligibility requirements. Award announcements are expected around 120 days post-deadline, with estimated contract start dates by January 31, 2026.
