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Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Grants

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND GRANT PROGRAM (LWCF)

LOCAL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 13, 2024.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is accepting grant applications for the Land and Water Conservation Fund program until September 13, 2024. The program provides 50 percent reimbursement to selected outdoor recreation projects that are sponsored by political subdivisions and other appropriate public agencies. Since 1965, Kansas has received over $50 million and funded approximately 800 LWCF projects in nearly every county. Qualifying projects include development and/or acquisition of outdoor facilities for the purpose of public recreation.

Upon receiving 2024 applications, KDWP will review each project to confirm that it is in accord with the eligibility requirements specified in the LWCF guidelines. Eligible projects will include all required documentation, and meet needs identified in the 2021 Kansas Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

The LWCF Application guidelines and forms are offered in a word document format, which can be downloaded from the Grant Applications page of the KDWP website. Please answer each question directly and thoroughly and be sure to make reference to supporting documentation where necessary.

The Federal Standard Forms (SF-424) for Budget Information and Compliance Assurance are also required. These forms can be obtained at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/lwcf-forms.htm. Please pay close attention to which forms are required for construction projects, and which are required for non-construction projects.

For more information, contact Riston Landwehr, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 512 SE 25th Avenue, Pratt, KS 67124 at 620-672-5911 or riston.landwehr@ks.gov.

FY2023
City of Derby	Library Outdoor Playspace
City of Atchison	Guerrier Hill Scenic Overlook
City of Liberal	Bluebonnet Park Playground
City of Liberal	Mahuron Park Playground
City of Pittsburg	Four Oaks Miniature Golf Course
City of Ottawa	Golf Course Acquisition
KDWP	Wilson State Park - Campground Upgrades and Hell Creek Cabins

FY2022
City of Lewis	Spence Park Playground
City of Augusta	Community Skatepark
City of Great Bend	Heizer Park Improvements
City of Independence	Central Park Sports Complex

FY2021
City of Ness City	Swimming Pool
City of Wichita	Chisholm Creek Park North Improvements
City of Summerfield	Community Park Improvements
City of Manhattan	Loma Ridge Development
City of Wichita	Pracht Wetlands Park Development
Johnson County	Kayak and Canoe Dock and Launch Facility
City of Mission	Mohawk Park Improvements
KDWP	Cheney State Park - Campground/Marina Upgrades
KDWP	El Dorado State Park - Cabins
KDWP	Prairie Dog State Park - Campground Upgrades
KDWP	Kanopolis State Park - Campground Upgrades

RECREATIONAL TRAILS GRANTS (RTP)

Recreation Trails Meeting Announcement

The Recreation Trails Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, March 27th, at 1:30 PM. During this meeting, project sponsors who submitted proposals in 2024 will be presenting in front of the review board.

The public is welcome to watch virtually; however, registration is required. To sign up, please visit: https://ksoutdoors.zoom.us/meeting/register/z6mvX6h9Rje4wF2U0LSeqA.

For any questions about the meeting, please contact Cherie Riffey at cherie.riffey@ks.gov.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is not currently accepting applications for Recreational Trails Funding. New Applications will be out this summer.

Applications must be postmarked or emailed by November 15th, 2025. The program provides 80 percent reimbursement to selected outdoor recreation projects. Projects that provide for motorized recreation activities are encouraged, as 30% of the funding is to be devoted to motorized projects. Qualifying projects include new trail or trailhead construction, maintenance or reconstruction of existing trails, enhancements or upgrades to existing trails/trailheads, development and planning, or land acquisition and easements. Your application must include the completed forms available for download below and a detailed cost breakdown along with a detailed site plan. This program is very similar to the Land and Water Conservation Program. Many of the same guidelines, forms and documentation will be utilized. Generally, overhead or administrative costs will not be funded from this program, but a portion of these costs may be used as part of the local match. The objective of the program is to get trails and trail facilities on the ground and not to fund administration. The local match must be detailed on the application form and may not be from any other Federal source. All projects selected must fall into one or more of three categories: motorized, non-motorized, or diversified recreational trail or trail-related projects. Proposals that provide for improved ADA and environmental impacts will receive a high priority.

For more information, contact Cherie Riffey, Trail Grant Coordinator, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 512 SE 25th Avenue, Pratt, Kansas 67124, at 620-672-5911.

Helpful links for completion of the Recreational Trails Grant

Recreational Trails Grant Application


FY2023 Funding
City of Anthony	Anthony Lake Trail
Kanrocks Recreation Association, Inc	Land Purchase and New Trail Dev.
City of Basehor	Basehor City Park Trail Improvement Project
NCK Outdoors	Destination Beloit - Chautauqua Park
Fort Scott	Riverfront Trail Expansion
Madison Place	Walking Trail Rehabilitation
Marshall Co.	Lake Idlewild Trail and Nature Center
Meade State Park	Artesian Springs Trail Expansion Project
Prairie Center State Park	Prairie Center Trailhead Restroom
Rossville	Rossville Community Trail
Uniontown	Uniontown Trail Renovation
Manhattan	Warner Memorial Park Trailhead and Loop
Hillsdale State Park	Hillsdale State Park Multi-Use Trails Renovation
Montezuma	Montezuma Fitness Trail - South Loop
Shawnee Co.	Levee Trail Resurfacing Project
Stanton Co. /Johnson City	Stanton Co. Trail
KDWP Kaw River State Park	Trail Enhancements
Osawatomie	MTB Course at Osawatomie State Hospital
Osawatomie	Marais des Cygnes Pump Track

FY2022 Funding
Friends of the Kaw	Informational Kiosks and Life Jacket Stations
City of Manhattan P&R	Linear Park Trail: Maintenance and Restoration
City of Manhattan P&R	Linear Trail Trailhead Improvements
City of Derby P&R	Community Memorial Walkway
Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad	Iron Horse Trail Phase 3
City of Marion	Marion Hike and Bike
City of Benton	Benton Poling Pond Trail
Central Kansas Conservancy	Meadowlark Trail: McPherson to Lindsborg Completion
The Friends of the Trails	Upgrade of Melvern Riverfront Park and Trails
Rossville Community Foundation	Rossville Community Trail
Clinton State Park	Clinton State Park Interpretive Trail
Historic Lake Scott State Park	Lake Scott Lakeside Trailhead Restroom
City of Pratt	Land Acquisition for Rail Trail
City of Andover	Add to 2020 Grant Need additional funding
KanRocks Recreation Association, Inc	Land Acquisition

FY2021 Funding
Cherokee Co. K-State Research & Ext.	Increasing Access to Physical Activity in Cherokee Co.
City of Iola	Mo-Pac Extension
B-29 Museum Inc. - Pratt	Pratt Army Air Field Historical Connecting Walk
City of Montezuma	Montezuma Fitness Trail
City of Hutchinson	GVI Trail Extension Plum to Monroe - Phase 1
City of Augusta	Trailhead Construction and Parking Expansion/Signage
City of Winfield	Walnut Valley Trails Project
Kanrocks Recreation Association, Inc.	Park Developments and Additions
Emporia State University	Emporia State University Campus Prairie Trail

OUTDOOR RECREATION LEGACY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (ORLP)

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE ON THE FOLLOWING DATES

CY 2025 ROUND-A: February 7th, 2025

CY 2025 ROUND-B: JULY 1st, 2025

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), Division of State Parks, is pleased to announce the availability of funding through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) for 2025. This grant program, managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, aims to create new or significantly improved outdoor recreation opportunities in economically disadvantaged urban communities.

In 2024, the Department of the Interior announced a historic investment of $254.68 million into 54 projects across 24 states through the ORLP program, marking the largest allocation in the program's history. (nps.gov)

This substantial funding underscores the federal commitment to enhancing outdoor recreational spaces in underserved urban areas.

Eligible applicants for the ORLP grants include state agencies and local governments, such as cities, counties, and special purpose districts (e.g., park districts), within or abutting a city with a population of at least 25,000 people. The proposed park must be in an area that will serve an economically disadvantaged community. Applicants should use the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Census Geomapping tool (FRB Census Geocoder), or documentation submitted by the community describing the demographic and environmental factors that indicate the community’s status of need.

For the current funding cycle, project request amounts range from a minimum of $300,000 to a maximum of $15,000,000. The KDWP has been designated as the lead agency in Kansas and is currently accepting project applications. Selected projects will receive assistance from the LWCF Grant Coordinator of Kansas State Parks to submit applications to the NPS.

To apply, applicants should review the notice of funding opportunity and submit the required application information. Application materials and further guidance can be downloaded from (Grants.gov). Applications must be sent to Riston Landwehr, LWCF Coordinator.

For additional questions, please contact Riston Landwehr at riston.landwehr@ks.gov or call 620 672 5911.

This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in enhancing outdoor recreation infrastructure in Kansas's underserved communities. KDWP encourages all eligible entities to consider applying to improve and expand access to quality outdoor recreational spaces for their residents.