Greenspace Equity Program Grant

The Greenspace Equity Program Grant is administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources through its Land Acquisition and Planning division. The program was established to enhance public health and livability in overburdened and underserved communities by supporting projects that preserve, create, and improve community greenspace. These greenspace investments include parks, community gardens, trails, urban farms, woodlands, and other open space amenities that provide environmental, recreational, and social benefits to communities with limited access to such resources. The program provides funding to eligible applicants for both land acquisition and stewardship or development activities. Acquisition projects may include purchasing land in fee simple or securing perpetual conservation easements, while stewardship projects involve developing or improving land for public use. All funded projects must be publicly accessible and must comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Properties funded under this program must be maintained for public use for extended periods, including perpetual protection for acquired land and a minimum of fifteen years for developed projects. Funding for the program is derived from Program Open Space and is subject to annual appropriations. Grants may cover up to one hundred percent of eligible project costs, and awards are made on a competitive basis. Certain administrative and compliance costs are allowable within capped percentages of the total grant amount, while ongoing maintenance and general operating expenses are not eligible for funding. The program operates on a reimbursement basis, with grant recipients required to submit documentation for approved costs before receiving payment. Eligible applicants include county governments, municipal governments, land trusts, and nongovernmental organizations that operate in or serve overburdened or underserved communities. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity to implement and maintain the proposed project and must ensure that projects are located within eligible communities or adjacent qualifying census tracts. For acquisition projects, applicants are required to have an agreement in place with the property owner and must provide supporting documentation such as independent appraisals. Projects must also demonstrate readiness to proceed following approval. Applications for the Fiscal Year 2027 grant round opened in October 2025 and closed on January 14, 2026. Applicants were required to submit a completed application and project agreement along with supporting documentation via email. Following submission, proposals were reviewed by Department of Natural Resources staff and the Greenspace Equity Advisory Board, with final approval granted by the Maryland Board of Public Works. Evaluation criteria included community impact, partnerships, financial contributions, and the ability to maintain the project over time. The program follows a structured review and approval timeline, including initial proposal review, advisory board consultation, and final approval by the Board of Public Works. Award notifications are issued after approval, and funded projects are monitored for compliance with program requirements and performance expectations. The program is expected to continue in future cycles, with updated application materials and timelines released for subsequent fiscal years. Evaluation of applications emphasizes the extent to which projects benefit overburdened or underserved communities, improve conservation outcomes, and demonstrate strong partnerships and readiness. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with local governments and community organizations to strengthen project outcomes. The program plays a key role in advancing equitable access to greenspace across Maryland by supporting both planning and implementation of community-focused environmental projects.