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 District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation received a $2.54 million Project Grant from the Department of the Interior's National Park Service under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) to fund improvements and developments at Hillcrest Urban Forest in Washington, DC. The award, issued October 1, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2027, represents a matching grant under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, which is funded through offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal tax appropriations.

The project will deliver physical improvements and facility enhancements at the Hillcrest Urban Forest site to expand and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for the general public. As a State and Local Assistance Program grant, this award supports the development of publicly owned parks and recreational infrastructure that aligns with the District of Columbia's approved Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and demonstrates the local government's commitment to advancing community outdoor recreation access through capital improvements.

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 district of columbia department of parks and recreation will make developments at hillcrest urban forest. This project will benefit the general public.