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 Department of the Interior National Park Service awarded $3.92M to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) on August 20, 2025, with a completion date of August 19, 2028. This award operates through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, which is funded by offshore oil and gas lease revenues. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources serves as the primary grant recipient and will provide a subaward to the City of Reading for capital improvements at the Hillside Pool and Recreation Area.

The project delivers outdoor recreation facility development and infrastructure improvements designed to enhance public access to recreational amenities and expand outdoor recreation opportunities for the general public. Specific deliverables under this subaward to the City of Reading will include facility developments at Hillside Pool and Recreation Area, which may encompass improvements such as pool rehabilitation, recreational facility upgrades, and related infrastructure enhancements. The project aligns with Pennsylvania's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan priorities and requires local matching funds in accordance with LWCF statutory requirements.

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 pennsylvania dept. Of conservation and natural resources will make a subaward to the city of reading for developments at hillside pool and recreation area. This project will benefit the general public.