Local Government Grant Program

The Local Government Grant Program (LGGP) is a state-funded initiative administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), supported by Oregon State Lottery funds dedicated to natural resource conservation and development. Established in 1999 through a voter-approved initiative, the LGGP aims to assist local governments in acquiring, developing, rehabilitating, and planning outdoor parks and recreation facilities. Since its inception, the program has distributed over $100 million in grant awards and typically allocates approximately $15 million annually for eligible projects across Oregon. The overarching mission is to promote equitable access to outdoor recreational spaces and support communities in enhancing the quality of life for their residents through strategic investment in public recreation infrastructure. Grants under this program are available to specific local government entities legally obligated to provide public recreation facilities. These include cities, counties, park and recreation districts, metropolitan service districts, and port districts. Eligibility is restricted to outdoor facilities that are publicly accessible, and non-governmental entities such as schools and nonprofits are not eligible applicants. Projects must align with the outdoor recreation objectives outlined in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) or local master plans. The types of eligible projects span development, rehabilitation, land acquisition, and planning. Development grants may cover the creation of sports fields, trails, interpretive facilities, and supporting infrastructure such as restrooms and parking areas. Rehabilitation projects support significant repairs to existing facilities, while acquisition grants enable the purchase of new land for future outdoor recreation. Planning grants help small communities develop system-wide or site-specific recreation plans and are available to jurisdictions meeting specific population thresholds. Applicants are required to provide a local match to qualify for funding, with the percentage of the match dependent on the applicant’s population. Cities and districts over 25,000 and counties over 50,000 must provide a 50% match. Those with smaller populations qualify for a reduced match, with the minimum being 20%. Acceptable match contributions may include cash, in-kind labor or materials, donated property, and certain pre-agreement planning costs, provided these are properly documented and fall within a two-year eligibility window. For land acquisition projects, appraisals must comply with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and acquisition must not proceed prior to grant approval unless a waiver of retroactivity has been granted by OPRD. Grant funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, with some provisions for escrow disbursement in acquisition projects. The LGGP is structured around three major funding categories: Small Grants (up to $100,000), Large Grants (up to $1,000,000), and Planning Grants (up to $50,000). Application cycles occur annually, subject to legislative budget approval. In 2026, the grant cycle opens on March 2, with large grant applications due by June 5 and small and planning grant applications due by June 18. Large grant applicants must also participate in an in-person presentation before the LGGP Advisory Committee, while small and planning grant applicants are not required to present. The Advisory Committee evaluates applications based on scoring criteria including consistency with SCORP, community need, accessibility, sustainability, and readiness to proceed. Final funding decisions are made by the OPRD Commission. Application submission and management are handled entirely online via the OPRDGrants.org portal. Prospective applicants must create an account to access the system, complete the online application, and upload supporting materials including environmental checklists, land use compatibility statements, maps, site plans, and documentation of match sources. Additional documents may include letters of support, photos, and if applicable, appraisals and acquisition agreements. All applicants must also provide a resolution from their governing body authorizing the submission of the application. Throughout the process, technical support is available from OPRD staff, and an annual informational webinar is held to guide applicants. In 2026, this workshop is scheduled for March 19. Projects approved for funding are formalized through a state/local agreement, after which a Notice to Proceed is issued. Project implementation must be completed within two years, and reimbursement is contingent upon submission of required progress reports, final inspections, and complete documentation of expenses. Facilities funded through LGGP must be maintained for public recreation for at least 25 years, and any changes in use are subject to conversion provisions requiring replacement of recreation assets or repayment of grant funds.

Attend the March workshop and prepare all attachments early. Don’t start work before Notice to Proceed.