Municipal Parks and Recreation Grant Program

The Municipal Parks and Recreation (MPR) Grant Program is a funding opportunity administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and supported through the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. This program is designed to help municipalities across New York State develop new parks and enhance existing recreational facilities, contributing to the long-term sustainability and accessibility of public spaces. A total of $10 million in grant funding is available for Round Two, and the program seeks to promote environmental justice by prioritizing investments in disadvantaged communities. Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns, and villages within New York State that own the land where the proposed project is located. The program restricts eligibility to municipalities that hold clear title to the project property; lands under water or properties with shared or limited ownership, such as leases or easements, are ineligible. The program also requires that any parkland improved or developed with grant funds must remain publicly accessible in perpetuity, with restrictions on future changes in land use unless explicitly authorized by the State Legislature. The scope of funding includes the construction of recreational infrastructure, such as playgrounds, athletic courts, playing fields, and facilities for a wide range of outdoor activities including swimming, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and picnicking. Projects must include a construction component; proposals focused solely on planning and design are not eligible. Pre-construction activities like surveys, archaeological assessments, and schematic planning are allowed within the overall project budget, though they should generally comprise no more than 15% of the construction costs. Additionally, grant funds may cover construction-related expenses, professional design fees, project signage, and necessary auditing or procurement efforts. Grant awards can cover up to 90% of total eligible costs, with a maximum award of $900,000 per project. The program is structured as a reimbursement grant, meaning successful applicants must initially fund their project expenditures and then request reimbursement from the State. Eligible forms of matching contributions include cash, professional services, force account labor, materials, volunteer labor, and documented equipment use. Certain costs, such as lobbying, interest payments, operational expenses, and planning-only projects, are explicitly ineligible for reimbursement. Applications for the second round of MPR funding must be submitted through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) portal. The application window opens on December 31, 2025, and closes at 4:00 p.m. on February 9, 2026. Applicants are required to provide several attachments, including documentation of property ownership, environmental compliance, schematic site plans, photographs of the project area, and evidence of community support. Projects are rated regionally based on criteria such as recreational need, community impact, alignment with statewide planning documents, budget readiness, and representation of disadvantaged communities. For assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact the Regional Grants Administrator (RGA) assigned to their county or reach out directly to the program team at [email protected] or 518-474-0427. A detailed program guidance document and supporting materials are available on the official MPR Grant webpage. Awarded projects are expected to begin upon execution of a contract with the State and must be completed within five years. Projects not meeting this timeline may be canceled at the discretion of the State.

Align project with SCORP; ensure site control and readiness; provide detailed budget and DAC documentation.