State Recreation Grants

The WVDEP’s Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation (AML) administers federal funding for economic development projects on abandoned mine lands through its AMLER Program. Donor Name: West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection State: West Virginia County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program helps projects located on or adjacent to mine sites that ceased operations prior to the signing of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act. Priorities Priorities as established by SMCRA: the protection of public health, safety, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of coal mining practices. The protection of public health and safety from adverse effects of coal mining practices The restoration of land and water resources and the environment previously degraded by adverse effects of coal mining practices (including measures for the conservation and development of soil, water (excluding channelization), woodland, fish and wildlife, recreation resources and agricultural productivity.​ Eligibility Criteria Noncoal lands and water are eligible if: They were mined or affected by mining processes; They were mind and left or abandoned in either an unreclaimed or inadequately reclamated condition prior to August 3rd, 1977; There is no continuing responsibility for reclamation by the operator, permittee, or agent of the permittee under statutes of the State of Federal Government or by the State as a result of bond forfeiture. Bond forfeiture will render lands or water ineligible only if the amount forfeited is sufficient to pay the total cost of the necessary reclamation.  In cases where the forfeited bond is insufficient to pay the total cost of reclamation, monies sufficient to complete the reclamation may be sought under parts 886 or 888 of this chapter; The reclamation has been requested by the Governor of the State or equivalent head of the Indian tribe; and The reclamation is necessary to protect the public health, safety, general welfare, and property from extreme danger of adverse effects of noncoal mining practices. For more information, visit WVDEP.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Colorado to address the community impacts of limited stakes gaming by funding public facilities and services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Alabama's local governments for projects that improve community facilities and services, particularly benefiting low and moderate-income residents.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), managed by the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and federally supported, funds the construction and maintenance of motorized and non-motorized recreational trails and related facilities in Arkansas. With an application deadline of May 31, 2024, the program operates on a reimbursement basis, covering 80% of project costs while requiring a 20% non-federal match. Funding priorities include new trail construction and significant maintenance of existing trails, with eligible expenses ranging from new construction to educational materials related to trail use. Grant renewed every year.

This funding is designed to help attract and support high-quality amateur and professional sports and e-sports events in Pennsylvania, boosting tourism and economic growth throughout the state.

This program provides funding to municipalities, nonprofits, educational institutions, and other organizations in Pennsylvania for the development and improvement of parks, trails, and recreational spaces to enhance community livability and promote conservation.

This grant provides $7.5 million to support and expand a youth mentorship and athletic program in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Flint, aimed at preventing juvenile crime and promoting positive development through sports and education.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit conservation organizations for acquiring land and conservation easements to promote environmental protection and public recreational access.

This program provides financial assistance to counties and tribal governing bodies to enhance fish and wildlife programs. Established in 1965 by the Wisconsin Legislature as an alternative to bounty payments on coyote, foxes, and bobcats, it now supports a wide range of county-sponsored fish and wildlife habitat projects. After the state budget approval, funds are allocated based on the ratio of each county's area to the total state area. The program is designed as a cost-share initiative for projects that include development of outdoor recreation structures, habitat restoration, stocking projects, maintenance, and miscellaneous projects directly related to fish and wildlife. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadline: October 1st

The All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile grant supports projects focused on the planning, acquisition of land, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, purchase of equipment for maintenance and construction, and the development of educational programs related to ATV and/or snowmobile trails and facilities. Only projects specifically related to ATV or snowmobile endeavors are eligible for submission under this category. The grant is funded by the ATV Management Restricted Account and the Snowmobile Management Restricted Account as authorized by Act 97 of 2016. Although there is no mandatory match requirement for this funding opportunity, applications that include match funding will receive additional consideration. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall opening/ closing deadlines: opens first business day in August and closes the last business day in September

This program provides financial support to Wisconsin destinations to help them secure competitive sporting events by covering up to 50% of associated bid fees or venue costs, with a maximum of $30,000 available per request.

This program provides funding to schools, municipalities, and nonprofits in Connecticut to promote safe and accessible walking, biking, and rolling through the purchase of safety equipment and educational materials.

The Local Parks Grant Program offers five individual grants to assist local government units in Texas with the acquisition and/or development of public recreation areas and facilities. This program aims to enhance public access to recreational opportunities, dedicating all grant-assisted sites to parkland in perpetuity. Funded by a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods and federal off-shore gas royalties, the program supports projects that ensure sites are properly maintained and open to the public.

This grant provides financial support to tax-exempt organizations to engage under-served populations in outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental education across Texas.

The NatureWorks grant program, managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, supports the development or acquisition of public outdoor recreation areas. Eligible entities include Ohio's political subdivisions, such as municipalities, townships, counties, and park districts. The program offers up to 75% funding for eligible projects, requiring a minimum of 25% match from non-state and non-federal sources. Applications are due by June 1, 2024, emphasizing ADA compliance, long-term maintenance, and public accessibility.

This program provides funding to local governments and nonprofit snowmobile clubs in Michigan for maintaining and improving the state's snowmobile trail system.

This program provides funding to states for the construction and maintenance of facilities that help recreational boaters dispose of sewage safely and effectively.

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program provides funding for a broad range of land protection and outdoor recreation, including local and state parks, trails, water access, and the conservation and restoration of state land. The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program was envisioned as a way for the state to accomplish two goals: acquire valuable recreation and habitat lands before they were lost to other uses and develop recreation areas for a growing population. This landmark legislation passed in 1990 and the grant program's continued funding have come about through the support of governors, the Legislature, and groups such as the many organizations comprising the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.

The Youth Athletic Facilities program provides grants to buy land and develop or renovate outdoor athletic facilities such as ball fields, courts, swimming pools, mountain bike tracks, and skate parks that serve youth through the age of 18. While the program focuses on youth, RCO strongly encourages grant recipients to design facilities to serve all ages and multiple activities. An athletic facility is an outdoor facility used for playing sports or participating in competitive athletics and excludes playgrounds, tot lots, vacant lots, open or undeveloped fields, and level open space used for non-athletic play. Typical Projects Adding lights to a field to allow evening games Changing an underused tennis court to a high-demand basketball court Changing the field surface, such as installing artificial turf, to allow more games per season or more seasons when the field may be used Expanding a youth-sized softball field to accommodate broader community uses

The Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Activities program provides funding to develop and manage recreation opportunities for such activities as cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain bicycling, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, motorcycling, and riding all-terrain and four-wheel drive vehicles. A portion of the funding also is available for education and enforcement programs that encourage environmentally responsible use of the outdoors and for helping to minimize conflict between visitors through positive management techniques. Except for off-road vehicle facilities, activities supported by this program must be accessed via a non-highway road, which is a public road that was not built or maintained with gasoline tax funding. Non-highway roads are found most often in state and national forests and national parks.