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 within the Department of the Interior awarded the Ohio Department of Natural Resources $21.6 million under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) 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, ODNR will serve as the primary grantee and provide a subaward to Cleveland Metroparks to fund outdoor recreation developments at Irishtown Bend Park. The project will deliver park development and infrastructure improvements that enhance public recreational access and amenities for the general public in Ohio.

The LWCF State and Local Assistance Program provides matching grants to states and local communities for the acquisition and development of public parks and outdoor recreation facilities. Funding for this award derives from offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal tax appropriations. As a state-identified priority project included in Ohio's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, the Irishtown Bend Park development will expand outdoor recreation opportunities and improve public access to natural resources within the Cleveland area through the ODNR and Cleveland Metroparks partnership structure.

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 ohio department of natural resources will make a subaward to the cleveland metroparks for developments at irishtown bend park. This project will benefit the general public.