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 $4.97 million on October 1, 2025, under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) to fund outdoor recreation facility development. The award extends through September 30, 2029, and is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, which is supported by offshore oil and gas lease revenues. The RCO serves as the primary recipient and pass-through entity, distributing funds to local governments and political subdivisions for projects identified in Washington's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

Under this award, the RCO made a subaward to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department on September 16, 2025, to comprehensively redevelop Fred Hutchinson Playground. The project involves demolishing existing recreational facilities (softball field, tennis court, basketball courts, and play areas) and constructing expanded amenities including a softball field, soccer field, pickleball court, multi-sport court, basketball half-court, open lawn, two play areas, picnic shelter, outdoor stage area, pathways, landscaping, site furnishings, and associated infrastructure. The project also encompasses site preparation, architectural and engineering services, cultural resource assessments, and permitting. This development prioritizes active play opportunities and will benefit the general public through enhanced recreational access in the Seattle area.

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 washington recreation and conservation office will make a subaward to the city of seattle parks and recreation department for developments at fred hutchinson playground. This project will benefit the general public.