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 West Virginia Division of Economic Development received a $400,000 Project Grant from the Department of the Interior National Park Service under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) effective October 1, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2028. This funding supports developments at Man Riverfront Park in the Town of Man, West Virginia, with the Division administering a subaward to the Town of Man for implementation of the project improvements. The LWCF (Land and Water Conservation Fund) State and Local Assistance Program provides matching grants for park development at state and local government-owned recreational facilities included in Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans, with this project designed to benefit the general public through enhanced outdoor recreation infrastructure and amenities.

The award is funded through offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal tax dollars, consistent with LWCF program financing mechanisms. Man Riverfront Park development represents one of numerous park improvement projects administered by the West Virginia Development Office statewide, which collectively support recreation facility enhancements including splash pads, playgrounds, trail systems, and related infrastructure improvements across municipalities throughout West Virginia.

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 west virginia department of commerce will make a subaward to the town of man for developments at man riverfront park. This project will benefit the general public.