Utah Community Parks and Recreation Grant

The Community Parks and Recreation (CPR) Grant, administered by the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR), is a competitive funding opportunity designed to support the rehabilitation and construction of essential community recreation assets such as parks, sports fields, pools, and playgrounds. This grant recognizes the pivotal role that community-based recreational spaces play in fostering healthy, active lifestyles and social connectivity, especially for youth and families. The CPR Grant program aims to fill a historic gap in Utah’s outdoor funding structure by specifically targeting more traditional park infrastructure that was previously ineligible under broader outdoor recreation grant programs. The CPR Grant is part of the broader Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) umbrella and shares the same application timeline and match requirements as other UORG grant tiers. It supports a wide range of fixed recreation infrastructure including parking lots, bathrooms, court surfaces, goal posts, walking paths, lighting, benches, sprinkler systems, water fountains, splash pads, and traditional playground structures. Importantly, CPR funding may not be used for indoor facilities, temporary or removable structures, equipment for sports activities, general maintenance, or land acquisition. Projects must focus on permanent, publicly accessible infrastructure. Eligible applicants include municipalities, state agencies, federal agencies, tribal governments, public educational institutions (with sufficient public access), and nonprofits. For schools to qualify, they must allow community use of facilities outside school hours with clear signage. The CPR Grant encourages projects from high-density, rural, and low-income areas where access to recreation may be limited. As such, the scoring system prioritizes community need, inclusive access, community engagement, and economic development potential. Additionally, projects that integrate with larger trail or park systems or provide access to underserved populations are favored. Applicants must provide a matching contribution based on a county-based sliding scale, with a minimum required match of 20%. Notably, up to 25% of the match may now be allocated to eligible "pre-build" expenses such as planning, design, and engineering. All applicants must complete substantial planning prior to submission and include a conceptual design and detailed budget using the DOR’s template. Permitting, NEPA-related environmental reviews, or work completed before contract signing are not eligible match items. Only expenses incurred after contract execution qualify for reimbursement, and project completion is expected within 28 months of award. The 2025 grant cycle opened on January 13 and closed on March 17. Although the 2025 round has concluded, applicants are encouraged to begin preparing for the 2026 cycle. The next cycle’s dates have not been announced but will follow a similar winter timeline. Grants are awarded based on a multi-stage review process: DOR staff assess initial eligibility, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Advisory Committee (ORIAC) scores applications based on standardized criteria. Award announcements typically occur in mid-May, with contracts following shortly thereafter. For more information, potential applicants may contact Patrick Morrison, the Recreation Program Director, or Caroline Weiler, Program Manager for the CPR Grant. All application materials, including the program guide and required budget templates, are available via the official Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation website. Once funded, recipients are required to post on-site signage acknowledging DOR support and schedule a site visit upon project completion. This grant represents a significant opportunity for Utah communities to invest in vital, local recreation infrastructure that serves as the foundation for broader outdoor engagement.

Emphasize community support, accessibility, and readiness; ensure strong budget and timeline alignment with grant requirements; link to broader regional infrastructure where possible.