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 Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) received a $1.33M project grant from the Department of the Interior National Park Service under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) to support park development improvements in Panama City, Florida. Effective August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2028, FDEP will serve as the prime grantee and make a subaward to the City of Panama City for developments at Joe Moody Harris Park. The grant is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, which is supported by offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal tax dollars, and requires matching contributions from the state and local partners.

The project will deliver outdoor recreation facility improvements and infrastructure enhancements at the publicly owned Joe Moody Harris Park to benefit the general public through expanded recreational amenities and improved public access to recreation areas. As prime grantee, FDEP will manage the subaward to the City of Panama City, which will implement the specific park development activities. The project aligns with Florida's outdoor recreation priorities as documented in the state's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

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 florida department of environmental protection will make a subaward to the city of panama city for developments at JOE moody harris park. This project will benefit the general public.