Parks and green spaces are critical city infrastructure. From improving the well-being of residents to creating a healthier physical environment that drives economic development, city parks are vital to helping America’s cities thrive.
Yet funding for these public assets is not keeping pace with community needs—even as cities face rising temperatures, aging infrastructure, and increasing demand for safe places for youth and families to enjoy the outdoors.
We’ve compiled resources to help cities identify federal, state, and philanthropic funding sources to fit any park project—and to help you make the case for park funding in your community.
City Parks Alliance does not directly fund projects.
Navigating federal funding programs for parks and recreation projects can be challenging.
We’ve identified the programs most relevant to city parks, green space, and recreation projects.
The City Park Funding Hub identifies funding sources from six different sectors relevant to parks and recreation projects and highlights the multisector partnerships that help cities unlock sustainable funding.
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program provides federal dollars to local communities through matching grants for locally led park and recreation projects across the United States.
The LWCF State Side program provides federal matching grants to create and expand parks, develop recreation facilities, and further state and local recreation plans.
Whether you’re completing a grant application or presenting to local government agencies, these resources provide data and case studies that demonstrate how park investments strengthen local economies, support public health and safety, build heat and flood resilience, and boost community pride and belonging.
Parks are essential infrastructure, as important as the bridges and roads that make our communities work.
We’ve compiled stories and strategies from American cities that have leveraged city parks to create positive, lasting change in the social, economic, and physical well-being of their residents.
Governments and public officials are increasingly leveraging parks as smart investments in their communities. This resource equips park professionals, city officials, and advocates with compelling health, economic, and environmental data to make the case for city park investments.
This report provides information on the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership and the physical, mental, and environmental health benefits of city parks.
While City Parks Alliance does not provide direct funding for park projects, members gain access to our multisector network, programming, and peer learning that help cities design strong projects, build effective partnerships, and compete for local, federal, and philanthropic funding.
Members receive access to Alliance member-exclusive programs, discounts to Alliance events, the Parks Resource Library, and our archive of past event recordings.