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 Department of the Interior National Park Service awarded $6.56 million through the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, effective October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2029. This Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program grant, funded by offshore oil and gas lease revenues, supports park development projects identified in the state's outdoor recreation priorities. The RCO is serving as the pass-through entity, distributing funds to local governments for projects that enhance public recreation opportunities.

Under this award, the City of Kent will undertake comprehensive improvements to Uplands Park through a subaward initiated September 16, 2025. The project scope includes demolition of existing baseball fields and a billboard, followed by development of recreational facilities and infrastructure: a spray park, restroom facility with utility rooms, playground, picnic shelter, circulation pathways, security lighting, entry plazas, seat wall, open lawn area, and site furnishings. The project also encompasses site preparation, architectural and engineering services, cultural resources assessment, and permitting. These improvements will provide primary recreation opportunities in walking, active play, and picnicking for the general public, with the project detailed under Federal Agreement Grant No. P25AP01155.

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 washington recreation and conservation office will make a subaward to the city of kent for developments at uplands park. This project will benefit the general public.