The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is offering funding through the Municipal Parks and Recreation (MPR) Grant Program. This program is supported by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The goal of the MPR Grant Program is to fund the development and improvement of municipal parks and recreation sites within the State of New York. The program prioritizes construction activities while allowing for some preconstruction planning costs, provided that construction is the primary focus.
Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns, and villages within New York State that own the property where the proposed project will take place. Eligible projects include the construction of recreational facilities and improvements to municipally owned parks and recreational sites. This may cover amenities such as playgrounds, courts, playing fields, and facilities for swimming, boating, camping, and other recreational activities. However, projects solely involving planning and design without a construction component are not eligible for funding.
The program is funded with up to $10 million available for the 2025 grant cycle, with an additional future round bringing the total to $20 million. The maximum grant award per project is $1,000,000, and applicants must provide a 10% matching share of the total eligible project costs. Grants are distributed on a reimbursement basis, meaning that recipients must initially cover costs and then seek reimbursement through the program.
Applications must be submitted through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) portal by May 2, 2025, at 4 p.m. Applicants are advised to review the Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant Program Guidance document and to contact the Regional Grants Administrator (RGA) for assistance prior to applying. The application portal can be accessed at https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/. Additional resources, such as cost summary templates, disadvantaged community lists, and planning guidance documents, are also available to assist applicants.
Evaluation criteria include the project's alignment with the goals of the Bond Act, the enhancement of community recreation opportunities, and the degree to which the project benefits disadvantaged communities. Contact information for each regional grants administrator is provided, along with a general contact email (nysoprhpgrants@parks.ny.gov) and phone number (518-474-0427) for broader inquiries.
