Grants & Assistance Links:

2012 Texas Outdoor Recreation Planmedia download(PDF 6.2 MB)

Recreation Grants:
Local Park Grants Manual:
Quarterly Status Report Form (land acquisition & park development) Recreation Grants:
CO-OP Forms (programs & services only) for:
Wildlife Grants:
Other Programs:

 

Recreation Grant Programs

Information on Available TPWD Grants
Grant Type Application Deadlines Award Limit
Outdoor Recreation August 1, 2012 (Special Call) $100,000
Indoor Recreation Currently Suspended  
Small Community Currently Suspended  
Urban Outdoor Recreation May 1, 2012 (Special Call) $220,000
Urban Indoor Recreation Currently Suspended  
Regional Currently Suspended
CO-OP Currently Suspended
Recreation Trail February 1 (Annually) $200,000
Boating Access October 31 (Annually) $500,000

Master Plan Submission Date is 60 Days Prior to Application Deadline.

The Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA) is funded through a portion of Texas sales tax received on select sporting good items. TRPA is administered by TPWD's Recreation Grants Branch and funds five grant programs. These grant programs include: Outdoor Recreation, Indoor Recreation, Small Community, Regional, and Community Outdoor Outreach Program.

TPWD also administers the Texas apportionment of federal Land and Water Conservation Funds through TRPA.

Once your project has been approved, you will receive the Instructions for Approved Projects. This booklet is designed to provide step-by-step instructions for project administration through completion. It has several flow charts and a number of checklists that you will find helpful. You can print a set of these instructions for the person who will be responsible for grant coordination.

TPWD Recreation Grants Branch sends out an electronic newsletter to announce grants, deadlines, and other related information. To subscribe to this (email) newsletter, please e-mail Rec Grants and request to be added to the subscription list. If you have any questions, please e-mail Recreation Grants or call 512/389-8224.

Outdoor Recreation Grants

This grant provides 50% matching grant funds to municipalities, counties, MUDs and other local units of government with populations less than 500,000 to acquire and develop parkland or to renovate existing public recreation areas. Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, MUDs, river authorities, and other special districts. Projects must be completed within three years of approval. (The master plans submission deadline is at least 60 days prior to the application deadline). For complete information on this grant, please download the Outdoor Recreation Grant Application.

Indoor Recreation Grants

This grant provides 50% matching grant funds to municipalities, counties, MUDs and other local units of government with populations less than 500,000 to construct recreation centers, nature centers and other indoor recreation-related buildings. (The master plans submission deadline is at least 60 days prior to the application deadline). Award notifications occur the following January. For more information on this grant, please download the Indoor Recreation Grant Application.

Small Community Grants

This grant was created to meet the recreation needs of small Texas communities with a population of 20,000 and under. The grant provides 50% matching grant funds to eligible municipalities and counties. Funds must be used for development or acquisition of parkland. Eligible projects include ball fields, boating, fishing, and hunting facilities, picnic facilities, playgrounds, swimming pools, trails, camping facilities, beautification, restoration, gardens, sports courts and support facilities.

Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants

Grants are available to cities and counties with populations over 500,000 for the acquisition and development of park land. This assistance program is distributed in the form of 50% matching grant funds. Local governments must apply, permanently dedicate project areas for public recreational use, and assume responsibility for operation and maintenance.

Urban Indoor Recreation Grants

Grants are available to cities and counties with populations over 500,000 for the acquisition, construction or renovation of indoor recreation facilities. This assistance is in the form of 50% matching grant. Local governments must apply, permanently dedicate the building for public recreational use, and assume responsibility for operation and maintenance.

Regional Grants

This grant program was created to assist local governments with the acquisition and development of multi-jurisdictional public recreation areas in the metropolitan areas of the state. It allows cities, counties, water districts, and other units of local government to acquire and develop parkland. The program provides 50% matching fund, reimbursement grants to eligible local governments for both active recreation and conservation opportunities. Master plans submission deadline is 60 days prior to application deadline. Grants are awarded yearly by TPW Commission when funds are available. This program is currently inactive.

Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) Grants

The CO-OP grant helps to introduce under-served populations to the services, programs, and sites of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. This is not a land acquisition or construction grant; this is only for programs. Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations, schools, municipalities, counties, cities, and other tax-exempt groups.

  • Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grant Application - PWD 1066 media download(Word 224 KB) or
  • Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grant Application - PWD 1066 media download(PDF 108.3 KB)

    • Recreational Trail Grants

    TPWD administers the National Recreational Trails Fund in Texas under the approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This federally funded program receives its funding from a portion of federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in non-highway recreational vehicles. The grants can be up to 80% of project cost with a maximum of $200,000 for non-motorized trail grants and currently there is not a maximum amount for motorized trail grants (call 512-389-8224 for motorized trail grant funding availability). Funds can be spent on both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects such as the construction of new recreational trails, to improve existing trails, to develop trailheads or trailside facilities, and to acquire trail corridors. Application deadline is February 1st each year. Download Recreational Trail Grant Application:

    Boating Access Grants

    This grant program provides 75% matching grant funds for the construction of public boat ramp facilities throughout Texas. Local government sponsors must make an application, provide the land, provide access to the proposed boat ramp, supply 25% of the development costs, and accept operation and maintenance responsibilities for a minimum 25-year period. These funds are allocated annually through the federal Sport Fish Restoration Act. The deadline for this program is October 31st each year. Download Boating Access Grant Application:

    Boat Sewage Pumpout Grants

    Federal funds through the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 allow private marinas and local governments to receive grants to install boat sewage pumpout stations in Texas. Pumpout Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and can constitute up to 75% of all approved project costs. These grants provide funds for the construction and/or renovation, operation, and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations. Priority consideration will be given to applications which provide pumpout facilities under federally approved state master plans. Proposals offering the greatest benefit to the intended waters and the general public will also take precedence. All recreational vessels must have equal access to pumpout stations funded under the Clean Vessel Act. These stations will be marked on all nautical charts. A maximum fee of $5.00 may be charged by operators to cover use and maintenance costs.