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 (NPS), administering the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916), awarded $3.0 million to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on August 1, 2025, for park development and improvement projects at Gardens Nature Park in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Under this Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program award, FDEP will serve as the prime grantee and make a subaward to the City of Palm Beach Gardens to fund facility development and outdoor recreation infrastructure enhancements. The project is expected to be completed by July 31, 2028, and will benefit the general public through improved recreational amenities and expanded public access to outdoor recreation facilities.

This project grant is funded through offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal tax appropriations, consistent with LWCF statutory authority. The funding supports Florida's approved outdoor recreation priorities and is structured as a matching grant requiring non-federal cost-sharing contributions from the local recipient. Upon completion, the enhanced facilities at Gardens Nature Park will provide expanded outdoor recreation opportunities for the Palm Beach Gardens community and surrounding region.

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 palm beach gardens for developments at gardens nature park. This project will benefit the general public.