Deadline For Outdoor Recreation Grant Applications Is Approaching

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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials said project applications are due July 1 for the estimated $450,000 in federal dollars available through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grants fund local, public, outdoor recreational projects to acquire, develop or   improve ball fields, campgrounds, golf courses, ice-skating ponds, picnic facilities, tennis courts, playground equipment and hiking trails.

  “Applying for these grants requires advanced planning and commitment,” said Walt Timmerman, FWP’s Parks Division recreation bureau chief.   “Most applicants will already have rough drafts of their grant applications and I encourage them to call us if they have questions as they complete their plans.”   Cities, counties, school districts, conservation districts, Indian tribes and other interested parties received postcards in February notifying them of the July 1 application deadline.             Timmerman is encouraging project sponsors to complete a draft of their applications by June 15 to allow extra time for the usual last minute edits, additions and corrections. He said the applications must be received in the FWP State Parks office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.

The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Program, established in 1965, encourages a partnership between national, state and local governments in planning and funding outdoor recreation.   Since 1965, Montana has received over $32 million for outdoor recreational projects.

The maximum grant per project is $75,000 and the grant may provide up to 50 percent of the local project’s total costs.

Details on the grant process are available on the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us     by clicking on Parks and then Grants, or call 406-444-3750 to request information.