Governor Kathy Hochul announced $20 million will be made available for a new Municipal Parks and Recreation (MPR) Grant Program to fund the development and improvement of municipal parks and recreation sites statewide for the public to enjoy. Funding for this program is provided by the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. To learn more about how to apply for the $4.2 billion available for environmental and community projects, visit NYS Environmental Bond Act.

The MPR grant funding is available for the construction of recreational facilities and other improvements to municipally owned recreational sites and parks. Examples include playgrounds, courts, playing fields, and facilities for swimming, biking, boating, picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping or other recreational activities. Program guidelines, including how to apply, will be available beginning March 19, 2025, on the State Parks website. The first round of the MPR will award up to $10 million.

Eligible applicants include counties, cities, towns and villages within New York State that own the property where the proposed project will take place. Grants will primarily fund construction costs. Preconstruction activities, such as developing plans and design specifications, may be included in the project budget, but the grant cannot fund projects that are solely for planning and design without a construction component.

To maximize accessibility to funding, the MPR grant opportunity can fund up to 90 percent of the total eligible project costs, with a matching share requirement of 10 percent. The maximum grant award is $1 million. Grants are administered on a reimbursement basis.

As your representative in the New York State Legislature, I’m proud to support the Governor’s efforts to promote children’s mental and physical health by continuing to rebuild the state’s social infrastructure and help steer children away from the harms of social media. Growing up in the 18^th Assembly District it was positive activities like youth sports, arts programs, civic engagement, and community building that provided an outlet for my personal development and professional growth.

I look forward to supporting all three Unplug and Play grant programs that invest in swimming infrastructure, playground construction and renovation, and the building and renovation of community centers. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (516) 489-6610 or burroughsn@nyassembly.gov if you have any questions, comments or concerns!