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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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Funding Sources

  • 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.
    Match from other sources
    Not Applicable
    Eligibility for Accessing Funds
    Nonprofit organizations, local governments, 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.
    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.
    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
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  • Multipurpose Grants

    Multipurpose Grants provide funding to carry out a range of eligible planning, community engagement, assessment and cleanup activities with a proposed target area, such as a neighborhood, a number of neighboring towns, a district, a corridor, a shared planning area or a census tract.
    Park Funding Use
    Capital/Land Acquisition, Operations/Maintenance
    Eligibility for Accessing Funds
    Nonprofit organizations, local governments and government entities, state governments, tribal governments
    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

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.

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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.