Game and Parks accepting grant applications for projects promoting outdoor recreation

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting grant applications for 2021 to promote outdoor recreation facilities and amenities for political subdivision parks and outdoor recreation areas.

The grants are funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service for outdoor recreation projects.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, ballfields, soccer fields, swimming pools, picnicking facilities, playgrounds, pool renovations, splash pads, park acquisitions and development, and park related support facilities. All projects must encourage or promote outdoor recreation.

A grant project sponsor must be a political subdivision, such as a city, county government or Natural Resource District, etc. The LWCF provides reimbursable matching grants for up to 50% of total project costs.

All grant applications will be accepted only through the online grant portal. The LWCF grant award requests for an individual project is established between $40,000 and $400,000.

Grant applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 17, 2021. All information and applicable materials are available at ngpcgrants.outdoornebraska.gov and outdoornebraska.gov/lwcf.

The LWCF was established by Congress in 1964 to ensure access to outdoor recreation resources for present and future generations and to provide money to governments to purchase land, water and wetlands to benefit all. The primary source of revenue for the LWCF grant program is received from federal oil and gas leases from the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.

Approved grants will be announced in January. Contact Schuyler Sampson at 402-471-5283 or schuyler.sampson@nebraska.gov for more information.