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) awarded $2.0 million to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEA) under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) effective October 1, 2025, with a completion date of December 31, 2028. Through a subaward mechanism, EOEA will distribute these funds to the Town of Harvard for development projects at Harvard Park. This award is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, which utilizes offshore oil and gas lease revenues to provide matching grants for parks owned by states and local communities.

The project will enhance outdoor recreation opportunities and public access to park facilities in Harvard, Massachusetts. Development activities are anticipated to include infrastructure improvements, recreational amenities, and facility enhancements consistent with the state's outdoor recreation priorities and Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The grant benefits the general public by expanding quality recreation space in the community and represents the NPS's continued investment in supporting state and local outdoor recreation initiatives across the nation.

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 massachusetts exec. Office of energy environmental affairs will make a subaward to the town of harvard for developments at harvard park. This project will benefit the general public.