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 $250,000 through the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) to the Kentucky Department for Local Government, effective October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2028. Under this Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program award, the Kentucky Department for Local Government is serving as the prime recipient and will subaward funds to the Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court for park improvement projects at Muhlenberg County Parks. The funding supports the development and enhancement of recreational facilities and infrastructure at publicly owned parks to advance outdoor recreation objectives and benefit the general public.

This project grant is funded through LWCF revenues generated from offshore oil and gas leases rather than federal tax appropriations. The Kentucky Department for Local Government, through its Office of Federal Grants Division, functions as the intermediary between federal resources and local governments, facilitating implementation of community park improvement initiatives across Kentucky counties. The specific park development deliverables at Muhlenberg County Parks will be implemented directly by the Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court as the sub-awardee, with projects selected based on the state's outdoor recreation priorities as documented in its 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 kentucky department for local government will make a subaward to the muhlenberg county fiscal court for developments at muhlenberg county parks improvement. This project will benefit the general public.