The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a landmark federal program dedicated to preserving and enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities across the United States. Established by Congress in 1964, LWCF has provided critical funding—totaling billions of dollars nationwide—to protect natural areas, develop public outdoor recreation facilities, and ensure all Americans have access to parks, trails, and green spaces.
The LWCF program is funded primarily through revenues from offshore oil and gas leasing—not taxpayer dollars—and supports projects in every state and nearly every county in the nation.
In Kansas, the LWCF is administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). The program offers matching grants to state and local units of government for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. From new playgrounds and restrooms to expanded trail systems and community parks, LWCF projects help build vibrant, healthy communities and protect the natural beauty of our state for future generations.
In 2020, the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) marked a historic moment for conservation and recreation in the United States. GAOA permanently funds the LWCF at $900 million annually, ensuring a stable and long-term investment in America’s public lands and local recreation resources.
KDWP will not be accepting LWCF grant applications in 2025. We encourage interested applicants to check back in early 2026 for updates on the next round of funding opportunities, including guidance on project eligibility, timelines, and how to apply.
LWCF funds help bring meaningful outdoor improvements to communities across Kansas. Recent recipients include:
| FY2024 | ||
| USD 246-Arma | Northeast School Park Renovation | |
| USD 102-Cimarron | Elementary School Playground Revitalization | |
| City of Garden Plain | City Pool Development | |
| City of Gardner | Veterans Memorial Park Accessible Restroom | |
| ||
| 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 |
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.
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 |
CURRENT ORLP NOFO HAS BEEN PLACED ON PAUSE. THE NPS IS NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME.
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.
The grantee bears sole responsibility for being aware of and following all other laws pertaining to the completion of the Recreational Trails project.
Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program guidance and information
2 CFR 200 Implementation Guidance:
2 CFR Part 200
Federal Highway Administration Form 1273, required contract provisions for Federal-Aid Construction Contracts
Buy America Act: applies to RTP projects
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
Architectural Barriers Act of 1968
Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended
Executive Order 12432, "Minority Business Enterprise Development"
Davis-Bacon Act
Clean Air Act of 1970
Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988
Title VI and the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Federal Lobbying Regulations, Section 1352, Title 31, U.S. Code
State of Kansas Contractual Provisions Attachment:
For a Freedom of Information Act or Kansas Open Records Act request, please go to the open records request information.
For additional questions, contact the Parks Division, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, 512 SE 25th Avenue, Pratt, Kansas 67124, phone (620) 672-5911, or use the form below to email KDWP.
