The land and water conservation fund (lwcf) state and local assistance program provides matching grants to develop parks owned by states and local communities

The National Park Service (Department of the Interior) awarded $595,000 to the American Samoa Government Department of Parks & Recreation on October 1, 2025, under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916). This three-year project, with completion targeted for September 30, 2028, funds development and infrastructure improvements at Lions Park, a publicly owned recreational facility in American Samoa. The funding, derived from offshore oil and gas lease revenues through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, supports facility enhancements designed to increase public access to outdoor recreation and improve the quality of recreational amenities available to the general public.

The American Samoa Department of Parks & Recreation will utilize these matching grant funds to implement park development projects consistent with the territory's outdoor recreation priorities. Typical improvements at comparable facilities in the department's project portfolio have included construction of recreational facilities such as sports courts, restroom facilities, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and walking trails that enhance community engagement and physical fitness opportunities. This award supports the department's strategic objective of advancing outdoor infrastructure and recreational access across American Samoa's communities.

Based on its outdoor recreation priorities, the state has selected grant projects to receive lwcf funding. Lwcf grants are made pursuant to 54 U.S.C. 2003 and are funded by offshore oil and gas lease revenue, not tax dollars. In this project, the american samoa department of parks and recreation will make developments at lions park. This project will benefit the general public.