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 (Department of the Interior) awarded $1,000,000 to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources on October 1, 2025, under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916). This Project Grant, with a completion date of September 30, 2028, will support the development of recreational facilities and infrastructure at Stagecoach Greenway in Lawndale, North Carolina through a subaward to Cleveland County Water. The project aligns with North Carolina's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program, which draws from offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal appropriations.

The funded improvements at Stagecoach Greenway will enhance public access to outdoor recreation opportunities and expand recreational amenities for the general public in the Lawndale area. As prime awardee, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will administer the grant and oversee project implementation by the local subawardee to ensure delivery of the planned outdoor recreation development objectives within the three-year performance period.

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 north carolina dept. Of natural and cultural resources will make a subaward to the cleveland county water for developments at stagecoach greenway. This project will benefit the general public.