Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Grant Programs

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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. To ensure the public benefit from the investment of state funds, all properties acquired or developed with grant funds will receive long-term protections. The method and term of the protection is dependent upon the type of applicant and project undertaken (see sample documents on the Consolidated Funding Application tab). Municipal parkland acquired or improved with EPF funding must remain parkland in perpetuity (see the Handbook on the Alienation and Conversions of Municipal Parkland). 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.

Applications: Not Available
NY SWIMS is a matching capital grant program to acquire, design, construct or reconstruct facilities, provide major renovations, improvements, and modernization or rehabilitation of swimming facilities and natural swimming areas in underserved communities across New York State that expand swimming opportunities for New Yorkers. Access the Request for Applications and related documents through NY SWIMS Initiative | DASNYLeaving New York State Parks.

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 ZBGA capital grants program provides eligible local governments and not-for-profit organizations funding to undertake strategic capital improvements to their facilities to help deliver on their missions, contribute economic benefit to their local areas, and provide their communities with robust educational programs and natural heritage collections in a safe and accessible environment.

For more information, please visit https://parks.ny.gov/environment/connect-kids/grant-program.aspx

Snowmobile Trail Grant Program
Applications: Applications Available

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.

Legislative Initiatives
Applications: By Prior Approval

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.

Beachfront Drone Grant Program
Applications: Applications Available. Accepted through November 1, 2024.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP) is committed to the safety of beach goers across the state. To address an increase in marine wildlife encounters with humans at ocean coastal beaches, the Office is granting funding to designated coastal municipalities to purchase Remote Controlled Drones (Drones) along with software and training to properly monitor clearly designated swimming areas at coastal beaches for the presence of sharks and other dangerous marine life.

Federally Funded Programs

New York State National Maritime Heritage Grant Program
Applications: Pre-Application available November 15-December 15, 2023

A matching subgrant program to fund education programs and historic preservation projects that will preserve sites and objects related to New York’s maritime history. The grants are made possible through a partnership between the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). Local governments, tribal governments, as well as 501(c)(3) and NYS qualified nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.

Recreational Trails Program
Applications: Applications Not Available

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.

Certified Local Government Program
Applications: Applications Not Available

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

Boating Infrastructure Grant Program
Applications: Applications Available

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.