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    Brownfields Funding

    Brownfields are generally abandoned or vacant land that is — or is perceived to be — polluted or contaminated. Often times these properties are considered “blight,” preventing community investment, reducing property values and negatively impacting quality of life. Brownfields are often concentrated in economically distressed communities in post-industrial cities.

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    Federal Funding

    EPA’s Brownfields Program funds the assessment, remediation, community engagement, and reuse of contaminated land. EPA has different grant and loan programs for each phase of the process. Those new to brownfields revitalization should focus on EPA’s assessment grants and multipurpose grants (offered in annual cycles in alternating years) and consult with the Technical Assistance to Brownfields provider and EPA Regional Office Brownfields Program staff.

    • Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB)

      Technical Assistance to Brownfields providers are regionally-based organizations that offer assistance to jurisdictions and organizations interested in exploring the viability of a brownfield conversion project. TAB providers are funded by the EPA, so their technical services are free.
      Typical Grant Amount
      Up to $100,000
      Match from other sources
      Not Applicable
      Eligibility for Accessing Funds
      Nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal governments, tribal organizations
      Learn More

    • Environmental Justice Small Grants Program

      This program empowers communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues. The program helps communities understand and address exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. All projects are associated with at least one qualified environmental statute.
      Typical Grant Amount
      Up to $100,000
      Accessibility of Funds
      Accessible
      Match from other sources
      Not Applicable
      Park Funding Use
      Programming
      Eligibility for Accessing Funds
      Nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, tribal organizations
      Learn More

    • Assessment Grants

      Assessment Grants provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct a range of planning activities, such as developing site-specific cleanup plans and conduct community involvement related to brownfield sites. Nonprofits and local governments considering buying or accepting a donation of a brownfield site need to do appropriate due diligence, as detailed in EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiries.
      Typical Grant Amount
      Up to $350,000
      Accessibility of Funds
      Accessible
      Match from other sources
      20%
      Eligibility for Accessing Funds
      Nonprofit organizations, local governments and government entities, state governments, tribal governments
      Learn More

    • Cleanup Grants

      Cleanup Grants provide funding to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites owned by the applicant.
      Typical Grant Amount
      $300,000 - $500,000
      Accessibility of Funds
      Accessible
      Match from other sources
      Up to 20%
      Park Funding Use
      Capital/Land Acquisition
      Eligibility for Accessing Funds
      Nonprofit organizations, local governments and government entities, state governments, tribal governments
      Learn More
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    State Funding

    There are state, regional, and local programs that can support brownfield revitalization projects, as well, through grants, loans, tax credits, tax amnesty, liability relief, technical assistance and more. For example, Municipal Property Tax Amnesty Programs enable a municipality to waive collection of taxes, providing land at a lower cost. Following is a list of the types of programs many states have, as well as examples of a few model state programs.

    • US Environmental Protection Agency Regional Offices

      Every state is within one of ten EPA regions, and each EPA regional office has staff dedicated to brownfields revitalization who are knowledgeable about state funding sources.
      Match from other sources
      Varies by State
      Eligibility for Accessing Funds
      Varies by State
      Learn More

    • State Underground Storage Tank (UST) Financial Assurance Funds

      Most states have funds to help underground storage tank owners comply with the federal financial responsibility regulation. These funds pay to clean up newly reported releases as well as ongoing cleanups.
      Match from other sources
      Varies by State
      Eligibility for Accessing Funds
      Varies by State
      Learn More

    • State Environmental Agencies

      Most state environmental agencies have brownfields offices, although some brownfield programs are also based in state economic development agencies and local and regional government bodies.
      Match from other sources
      Varies by State
      Eligibility for Accessing Funds
      Varies by State
      Learn More

    • Ohio Brownfield Fund

      This collection of funding sources helps plan, assess, and remediate brownfields throughout the state. Brownfield redevelopment allows a community to reclaim and improve contaminated lands, making property viable for new development. The Fund provides loans up to $500,000 for Phase II Environmental Assessments, with flexible terms, deferred repayment periods, and below-market interest rates. The Fund can also provide loans up to $5,000,000 for environment cleanup, with deferred repayment periods and below-market interest rates.
      Match from other sources
      Varies by State
      Eligibility for Accessing Funds
      Varies by State
      Learn More
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    Additional Resources

    CPA ParkXChange Resource Library

    Brownfields Resources for Urban Park Professionals

    Searchable library including cross-sector MOUs, equity action plans, agreements for park maintenance and operations, green infrastructure development and maintenance, community benefits, arts and cultural programming, guides and technical tools.

    CPA Webinar - November 2019

    Funding Brownfields to Parks

    Remediating former brownfield sites to create parks and community spaces can be challenging, but there are funding sources available that can make these projects possible.

    PDF

    From Brown to Blooming: Groundwork USA’s Field-Tested Guide for Getting From Brownfield to Neighborhood Asset

    Groundwork USA

    Website

    Reclaiming Brownfields: Highlights from the Groundwork USA Network

    Groundwork USA

    Website

    Planning with an Eye Toward Implementation: What All Communities Can Learn from Using a Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Approach

    Groundwork USA

    Website

    Groundwork USA Technical Assistance

    Groundwork USA

    PDF

    Turning Brownfields Into Parks: On once polluted properties, bold new public spaces deliver the green

    The Trust for Public Land

    Case Studies

    New York City, NY

    Yonkers Greenway

    This timeline recounts the progress of the Yonkers Greenway project from 2008 through 2020, detailing the many funding sources utilized. Creating a healthier, more equitable environment requires years of hard work, plenty of helping hands, and no small amount of funding.

    Lawrence, MA

    Manchester Street Park

    A small town sees brownfield-to-park success, using diverse funding sources.

    Nashville, TN

    Mill Creek Greenway

    Multiple funding sources support transformation of a notoriously polluted urban stream corridor.

    Providence, RI

    Hope Tree Nursery

    The first tree nursery in the US opened on a former brownfield, part of a multi-year green jobs training and community development effort that utilizes EPA Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants as well as brownfields assessment and clean-up funds.

    Elizabeth, NJ

    Elizabeth River Trail

    Like many other brownfields-to-parks projects, phase I of the Elizabeth River Trail was a mixed land revitalization, waterway restoration and transportation project.

    Hoboken, NJ

    Resiliency Park

    Park provides a fundamental part of Hoboken’s resiliency strategy by integrating green infrastructure and innovative stormwater management measures to mitigate flooding from rainfall events.

    Share Your Experience

    This Hub highlights select federal and state funding programs that can be particularly effective at funding parks and green infrastructure in low-income communities. It is not intended to be a comprehensive source of funding opportunities, but a starting point with examples, links to additional information, and case studies.

    We invite you to help us make this Hub stronger by sharing your experiences applying for, and implementing programs with these funding sources.

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    Brownfields are generally abandoned or vacant land that is — or is perceived to be — polluted or contaminated. Often times these properties are considered “blight,” preventing community investment, reducing property values and negatively impacting quality of life. Brownfields are often concentrated in economically distressed communities in post-industrial cities.

    Reinvestment in these properties can transform blight into community assets, through affordable housing, community gardens, playgrounds, parks and more. However, in weak real estate markets, with low property values and limited private investment, municipalities may be inclined to redevelop brownfield sites to commercial or industrial uses for tax revenue purposes, rather than as a public amenity. An active and engaged community can be critical in making a compelling case for transforming a brownfield into a park, trail or public space that can contribute to a healthy, vibrant community.

    Transforming a brownfield into a park can be a complicated and expensive process and funds are very competitive, requiring creative partnerships with local governments, community development organizations, philanthropy, and businesses. Diverse partnerships can tap a wide variety of funding sources, such as Community Development Block Grants.