The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has recommended projects from 16 Ohio communities for grant funding that will exceed $1.5 million. These funds are for community-based projects that will help preserve green space and improve outdoor recreational activities for families across Ohio. These funds are pending final approval by the National Park Service and are provided through a federal matching grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

ODNR administers the federal LWCF grant program for Ohio. This year, the LWCF program will support the acquisition of more than 550 acres of green space as well as the development and improvement of three playgrounds, a splash park, a skate park, four new park restrooms, a shelter house and an outdoor band shell. Funding from these grants will also make Ohio’s park infrastructure more accessible.

The LWCF provides up to 50 percent reimbursement assistance for state and local government subdivisions, such as villages and cities, for the acquisition, development and rehabilitation of outdoor recreational areas. The federal grant program is supported by offshore oil lease revenues and other non-tax sources.