$20 million in funding for new municipal parks and recreation grant program, Governor Hochul reveals

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $20 million will be made available for a new Municipal Parks and Recreation (MPR) Grant Program to fund the development and improvement of municipal parks and recreation sites statewide for the public to enjoy.

Funding for this program is provided by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.

“By expanding access to recreational opportunities, we are building healthier communities and ensuring every child has the ability to play, learn, and grow in a safe and engaging environment,” the Governor said, while adding the announcement is a part of her ‘Unplug and Play’ initiative, which promotes kids’ mental and physical health by continuing to rebuild the state’s social infrastructure and help steer children away from the harms of social media and toward positive activities like youth sports, arts programs, civic engagement, and community building.

Unplug and Play includes three grant programs that invest in swimming infrastructure, playground construction and renovation, and the building and renovation of community centers.

The MPR grant funding is available for the construction of recreational facilities and other improvements to municipally owned recreational sites and parks.

Examples include playgrounds, courts, playing fields, and facilities for swimming, biking, boating, picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping or other recreational activities. Program guidelines, including how to apply, will be available beginning March 19, 2025, on the State Parks website.

Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns and villages within New York State that own the property where the proposed project will take place.

Grants will primarily fund construction costs. Preconstruction activities, such as developing plans and design specifications, may be included in the project budget, but the grant cannot fund projects that are solely for planning and design without a construction component.

The first round of the MPR will award up to $10 million. Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns and villages within New York State that own the property where the proposed project will take place.

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.