$300,000 Outdoor Recreation Grant Available for Your Community

Widseth can help you apply for an Outdoor Recreation Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to improve parks and outdoor recreation facilities. Keep reading to learn more about the program, find out if you're eligible, and see when applications are due.

1. Program & Description

Outdoor Recreation Grant Program

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

The Outdoor Recreation Grant Program helps to increase and enhance outdoor recreation facilities in local and community parks throughout Minnesota. 

2. Eligibility

Eligible applicants: Cities, counties, and townships.

Eligible projects: Park acquisition and/or development/redevelopment including internal park trails, picnic shelters, playgrounds, athletic facilities, boat accesses, fishing piers, swimming beaches, and campgrounds. Creating a connection with regional trails and/or natural water resources is suggested. All park projects must be maintained for outdoor recreation into perpetuity.

Project proposals must include at least one of the eligible primary outdoor recreation facilities in the Program Manual and have a total project cost of at least $20,000. Support facilities such as restrooms and parking lots can only be funded as part of a larger project that includes a primary recreation facility. Land proposed for development and/or redevelopment must be owned by the applicant or be part of an acquisition project. 

3. Type of Funding

Grants are up to 50% of the total eligible costs with a maximum award of $300,000. Applicants must provide a non-state match of at least 50% of the total project cost that is secured and committed at the time of application. The local match can consist of cash or the value of materials, labor, and equipment usage by the local sponsor or by donations or any combination thereof. Grants are reimbursement-based. Costs must be incurred and paid for before reimbursement can be made.

4. Application Process & Deadline

The completed application is due March 31, 2022. This is a competitive program and priority will be given to projects that have stakeholder input and meet the Minnesota's 2020-2024 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

• 2022 Outdoor recreation grant application
• 2022 Outdoor recreation program manual

The Department of Natural Resources will review and rank applications during the spring of 2022. Preliminary grant awards will be announced in the summer of 2022.

5. How to Get Started

Get started on your project by contacting Widseth's funding department. Widseth’s fully integrated services can assist your community with all elements of a winning application.