Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Title 9 NYCRR (sections 439.1 – 443.4) implements the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Act of 1993 (Title 9 of Article 54 of the Environmental Conservation Law), which created OPRHP's program for Parks, Preservation and Heritage Grants. The EPF is a matching grant program for the acquisition, planning, development, and improvement of parks, historic properties, and heritage areas located within the physical boundaries of the State of New York. Funds may be awarded to municipalities or not-for-profits with an ownership interest. All applicants must use the online Consolidated Funding Application to apply. One application covers all three program categories (Parks, Historic Preservation, Heritage Areas) highlighted below.

• Parks Program
  

  A matching grant program for the acquisition, development and planning of parks and recreational facilities to preserve, rehabilitate or restore lands, waters or structures for park, recreation or conservation purposes and for structural assessments and/or planning for such projects. Funds may be awarded for indoor or outdoor projects and must reflect the priorities established in NY Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

• Historic Preservation Program
  

  A matching grant program to improve, protect, preserve, rehabilitate, restore or acquire properties listed on the State or National Registers of Historic Places and for structural assessments and/or planning for such projects.

• Heritage Areas Program
  

  A matching grant program for projects to acquire, preserve, rehabilitate or restore lands, waters or structures, identified in the approved management plans for Heritage Areas designated under section 35.03 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law and for structural assessments or planning for such projects. Projects must fall within a New York State Designated Heritage Area.

A program for the funding of collections care or special projects at municipal or not-for-profit institutions that house, care for and interpret for the public, systematically organized collections of living things.

The Connect Kids to Parks Transportation Grant provides reimbursement of costs associated with field trips taken by K-12 students to eligible New York State parks and historic sites. Organizations that are eligible to apply include: all Title 1 schools; public schools and school-sponsored clubs in a district with a Title 1 school; after school programs participating in Advantage After School, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Empire State After School, or NYC COMPASS; and county, city, town or village youth bureaus in communities with Title 1 schools. Some not-for-profits that operate in school districts receiving Title 1 funding may also qualify. All not-for-profits must be Prequalified in the Grants Gateway. Each class or organization group is eligible for one transportation grant per academic year.

A grant program that allocates funds to local governments that engage in the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails designated as part of the State Snowmobile Trail System. The authorization for the program is found in Article 27 of NY Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law. Funding is allocated on a pro-rated basis.

A program for recipients pre-designated by the State Legislature. If you have not received a letter from this agency, referencing a "PKS-..." project, these guidelines do not apply to you. If you received a letter referencing a "PKS-..." project, please download guidelines and materials for submission.

Federally Funded Programs

A matching grant program for the acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of trails and trail-related projects. Funds are available to non-profit organizations, municipal, state and federal agencies, and other government entities. Funded projects must be identified in, or further a specific goal of, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and must be available to the general public. Source of funds: Federal Highway Administration.

A matching grant program for the expansion and maintenance of the National Register of Historic Places and support of historic preservation activities, to include survey and inventory. Only Certified Local Governments may apply. Source of funds: The National Park Service

A program of the Department of the Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service.

This federal, nation-wide, urban-focused grant program is targeted at projects that will create or reinvigorate parks and other outdoor recreation spaces to encourage people to connect or re-connect with the outdoors.