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  Grants & Assistance Links:
Recreation Grants:
Local Park Grants Manual:
Quarterly Status Report Form (land acquisition & park development) Recreation Grants:
Local Sponsor Self Inspection Form
CO-OP Forms (programs & services only) for:
Wildlife Grants:
Other Programs:

 

Recreation Grant Programs

Information on Available TPWD Grants
Grant Type Annual Application Deadlines Award Limit Special Call
Application Deadline
Outdoor Recreation July 31 and Jan. 31 $500,000 Not Applicable
Indoor Facility July 31 $750,000 Not Applicable
Small Community Jan. 31 $75,000 Not Applicable
Urban Outdoor Recreation Feb. 28 $1,000,000 June 1, 2009
Urban Indoor Recreation July 31 $1,000,000 Not Applicable
Regional This grant program is currently suspended
CO-OP Feb. 1 and Oct. 1 $50,000
 Not Applicable
Recreation Trail May 1 $200,000 Not Applicable
Boating Access Oct. 31 $500,000 Not Applicable

Master Plan Submission Date is 60 Days Prior to Application Deadline.

The Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA) is funded through a portion of Texas sales tax received on select sporting good items. TRPA is administered by TPWD's Recreation Grants Branch and funds five grant programs. These grant programs include: Outdoor Recreation, Indoor Recreation (facility), Small Community, Regional, and Community Outdoor Outreach Program.

Once your project has been approved, you will receive the Instructions for Approved Projects. This booklet is designed to provide step-by-step instructions for project administration through completion. It has several flow charts and a number of checklists that you will find helpful. You can print a set of these instructions for the person who will be responsible for grant coordination.

TPWD Recreation Grants Branch sends out an electronic newsletter to announce grants, deadlines, and other related information. To subscribe to this (email) newsletter, please e-mail Rec Grants and request to be added to the subscription list. If you have any questions, please e-mail Recreation Grants or call 512/389-8224.

Outdoor Recreation Grants

This program provides 50% matching grant funds to municipalities, counties, MUDs and other local units of government with a population less than 500,000 to acquire and develop parkland or to renovate existing public recreation areas. There will be two funding cycles per year with a maximum award of $500,000. Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, MUDs, river authorities, and other special districts. Projects must be completed within three years of approval. Application deadlines are January 31st and July 31st each year (the master plans submission deadline is 60 days prior to application deadline). Award notifications occur 6 months after deadlines. For complete information on this land acquisition/park construction grant, please download the Outdoor Recreation Grant Application.

Indoor Recreation Facility Grants

This program provides 50% matching grant funds to municipalities, counties, MUDs and other local units of government with a population less than 500,000 to construct recreation centers, community centers, nature centers and other facilities (buildings). The grant maximum will increase to $750,000 per application. The application deadline is July 31st each year (with master plan submission deadline 60 days prior to application deadline). Award notifications occur the following January. For more information on this land acquisition/facility construction grant, please download the Indoor Facility Recreation Grant Application.

Small Community Grants

This grant program was created to meet the recreation needs of small Texas communities with a population of 20,000 and under. The grant provides 50% matching grant funds to eligible municipalities and counties. The maximum award will be $75,000. Funds must be employed for development or beautification of parkland. Eligible projects include ball fields, boating, fishing, and hunting facilities, picnic facilities, playgrounds, swimming pools, trails, camping facilities, beautification, restoration, gardens, sports courts and support facilities. The deadline for this program is January 31st each year.

Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants

Grants are available to specific cities and counties over 500,000 in population for the acquisition and development of park land. This assistance program is distributed in the form of 50% matching grant funds up to $1,000,000. Local governments must apply, permanently dedicate project areas for public recreational use, and assume responsibility for operation and maintenance. The deadline for this program is February 28th each year.

Urban Indoor Recreation Facility Grants

Grants are available to specific cities and counties over 500,000 in population for the acquisition, construction or renovation of indoor recreation facilities. This assistance is in the form of 50% matching grant funds up to $1,000,000. Local governments must apply, permanently dedicate the building for public recreational use, and assume responsibility for operation and maintenance. Special application deadline of January 31st, 2009 with an annual application deadline of July 31 beginning in 2009.

Regional Grants

This grant program was created to assist local governments with the acquisition and development of multi-jurisdictional public recreation areas in the metropolitan areas of the state. It allows cities, counties, water districts, and other units of local government to acquire and develop parkland. The program provides 50% matching fund, reimbursement grants to eligible local governments for both active recreation and conservation opportunities. Master plans submission deadline is 60 days prior to application deadline. Grants are awarded yearly by TPW Commission when funds are available. This program is currently inactive, but may be reinstated in 2009.

Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) Grants

The CO-OP grant helps to introduce under-served populations to the services, programs, and sites of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. This is not a land acquisition or construction grant; this is only for programs. Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations, schools, municipalities, counties, cities, and other tax-exempt groups. Minimum grant requests are $5,000 and maximum grant requests are $50,000. The application deadline is February 1st and October 1st with awards on April 15th and December 15th.

The Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) will be conducting grant writing workshops around the state to help applicants prepare for upcoming deadlines. Applicants will be able to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to expose participants to environmental and conservation programs as well as outdoor recreation activities.

The following Grant Writing Workshops are scheduled and more will be added soon.
To register, please call 512-389-8224 or email your name, organization and phone number to rec.grants@tpwd.state.tx.us


Recreational Trail Grants

TPWD administers the National Recreational Trails Fund in Texas under the approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This federally funded program receives its funding from a portion of federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in non-highway recreational vehicles. The grants can be up to 80% of project cost with a maximum of $200,000 for non-motorized trail grants and currently there is not a maximum amount for motorized trail grants (call 512-389-8224 for motorized trail grant funding availability). Funds can be spent on both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects such as the construction of new recreational trails, to improve existing trails, to develop trailheads or trailside facilities, and to acquire trail corridors. Application deadline is May 1st each year. Download Recreational Trail Grant Application:

Boating Access Grants

This grant program provides 75% matching grant funds for the construction of public boat ramp facilities throughout Texas. Local government sponsors must make an application, provide the land, provide access to the proposed boat ramp, supply 25% of the development costs, and accept operation and maintenance responsibilities for a minimum 25-year period. These funds are allocated annually through the federal Sport Fish Restoration Act. The deadline for this program is October 31st each year. Download Boating Access Grant Application:

Boat Sewage Pumpout Grants

Federal funds through the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 allow private marinas and local governments to receive grants to install boat sewage pumpout stations in Texas. Pumpout Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and can constitute up to 75% of all approved project costs. These grants provide funds for the construction and/or renovation, operation, and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations. Priority consideration will be given to applications which provide pumpout facilities under federally approved state master plans. Proposals offering the greatest benefit to the intended waters and the general public will also take precedence. All recreational vessels must have equal access to pumpout stations funded under the Clean Vessel Act. These stations will be marked on all nautical charts. A maximum fee of $5.00 may be charged by operators to cover use and maintenance costs.

Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grants

TPWD administers the Texas apportionments of LWCF through the Texas Recreation Park Account. If you are applying for an Indoor Grant, Outdoor Grant, or Small Community Grant, TPWD may consider your application for LWCF funding. You do not need to submit a separate application.