Municipal Park Improvement Initiative Grant Program

The Municipal Park Improvement Initiative, led by the Albany County Legislature in partnership with the Albany County Parks & Recreation Department and the Albany County Executive’s Office, is a county-wide funding program aimed at enhancing the quality, accessibility, and functionality of municipal parks and recreation facilities throughout Albany County, New York. This initiative reflects the County's continued commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents and visitors by investing in physical spaces that foster health, safety, inclusion, and community engagement. The program is guided by the belief that public spaces serve as critical infrastructure for public well-being, youth development, and community resilience. A total of $150,000 is available through the current cycle of the program, with individual grants of up to $15,000 offered to eligible municipalities. These awards are intended to support either the upgrading of existing parks and playgrounds or the development of new recreational facilities. The initiative is explicitly designed for incorporated cities, towns, and villages within Albany County. While private, nonprofit, or for-profit entities cannot apply directly, they are encouraged to collaborate with eligible municipalities to strengthen their proposals and increase their impact. All applicants must ensure that their projects serve county residents and are accessible to the general public. The grant application process includes the submission of several required documents and narrative components. A key requirement for 2026 is the inclusion of the new Legislative Grant Acknowledgement Form, signed by an authorized representative of the applying organization. Applications must also include an executive summary, a budget breakdown, a benefits statement demonstrating how the project will help prevent bullying or peer-to-peer violence, a demographic overview of the intended beneficiaries, and any supporting renderings or construction documents. All materials must be submitted via email to the Albany County Legislature. Each application is reviewed and scored by a panel comprising representatives from the Albany County Legislature, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Executive’s Office. Funding recommendations are based on a combination of program alignment, documentation quality, community impact, and proposed outcomes. While prior awardees are not excluded, preference is given to new applicants. Applications for this round open on February 2, 2026, and close on March 2, 2026. Awardees are expected to be notified early in the second quarter of the year, with subsequent reimbursement deadlines in early July and mid-September. The program enforces strict guidelines for allowable costs. Personal compensation and employee salaries are not reimbursable, nor are capital equipment purchases, capital repairs, or general operating expenses like rent and utilities. Grant funds may be used for physical park enhancements but not for unapproved construction or capital improvement projects. All spending must align with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and grantees must adhere to sound financial management and submit required financial reports with certified statements. Surplus funds must not be considered profit and may require legislative guidance for further use. Grantees must report demographic data and performance metrics during two defined reporting periods. The first occurs in early July, when 35% of the award must be expended. The second occurs in mid-September, by which time the full amount must be spent. Failure to comply with reporting and spending requirements may result in delayed or denied reimbursements. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Questions regarding the application process or eligibility can be directed to [email protected].