2026 Route to Parks Grants Program

The Route to Parks Grants Program is administered by Parks California in partnership with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, as part of a broader public-private collaboration. Since its inception in 2020, the program has supported 85 organizations, helping them deliver transformative outdoor experiences to historically underserved communities across California. The initiative aligns with the California Natural Resources Agency’s Outdoors for All program and the Waterway Connections Initiative, with a focus on improving equitable access to California State Parks by overcoming transportation and other systemic barriers. The 2026 Route to Parks grant cycle invites proposals that aim to remove access barriers, particularly transportation challenges, to California State Parks. Projects must prioritize underserved communities that face difficulty accessing park environments or have limited opportunities for nature-based engagement. Funded projects are expected to offer meaningful recreational, educational, cultural, or historical learning experiences, most of which must take place within California State Parks. Furthermore, proposals must demonstrate active collaboration with California State Parks staff and clearly identify the relevant personnel involved in project planning. Parks California anticipates that award amounts will average between $25,000 and $30,000, with all funded projects expected to begin on January 1, 2026, and conclude by December 31, 2026. Coordination with park staff is mandatory and must occur prior to application submission. Applicants are encouraged to begin these conversations early, particularly during the summer season when park staff availability may be limited. These discussions help inform project design and resource planning. Contact details for the consulted California State Parks employee must be included in the application. The grant evaluation process favors proposals that highlight engagement with inland waterways and water systems, support co-development of programs with participants, and provide multiple park-based experiences. Projects that help participants build capacity for continued independent park access or that increase knowledge and familiarity with natural environments are also prioritized. The application portal is hosted on Parks California’s grants management platform. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025. An informational webinar will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 1 p.m., and community office hours will be available on four separate Wednesdays: June 25, July 9, July 23, and August 6, from 11 a.m. to noon. Additional questions can be directed to grants@parkscalifornia.org. Applicants who are unable to attend the scheduled office hours are encouraged to reach out via email to arrange alternative times. Recent grantees highlight the program’s impact and breadth. For example, the Hearts for Sight Foundation offers health and outdoor activities for visually impaired individuals at multiple Southern California State Parks. Adventure Risk Challenge supports youth leadership and literacy development through nature immersion. Land Together, formerly Insight Garden Program, combines in-prison rehabilitation with post-release park engagement. City Heights Community Development Corporation’s “BLVD to Beach 2.0” program provides bike rides and camping trips for low-income communities to reach coastal parks. These diverse examples illustrate the broad application of Route to Parks funding in advancing nature access and community empowerment.

Applicants are encouraged to begin conversations with State Parks staff early to improve project design.