August 18, 2019 – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that counties and municipalities can now apply for grant funding from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund. Local governments should submit preliminary application forms by September 19, 2019.
Land and Water Conservation Fund projects must be in direct support of public outdoor recreation. Eligible proposals include the acquisition, development, and maintenance of outdoor recreational areas, facilities, and properties, including athletic fields, boat launches, fishing piers, playgrounds, trails, and more. Municipalities and counties are eligible for up to a 50% matching fund with requests capped at $1 million.
August 15, 2019
The department recently announced FY19 funding for two projects in Allegany County. Other examples of recently completed Land and Water Conservation Fund projects include:
- Calvert County used $487,550 of Land and Water Conservation Funds to acquire 48.35 acres for a public park that will offer access for hiking, nature study, fishing, and launching of non-motorized boats.
- Caroline County used $775,000 of Land and Water Conservation Funds to acquire 207 acres for North County Park, just north of the Greensboro Town limit. Natural trails and a parking lot provide current public access to the site. Future outdoor recreation amenities include multi-purpose athletic fields, playground, picnic areas, and more.
Since its inception, the Land and Water Conservation Fund program has funded more than 400 projects throughout Maryland, totaling more than $90 million.
The national program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior.