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 American Samoa Government Department of Parks & Recreation received a $300,000 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 through September 30, 2028. This award supports park development improvements at Pago Pago, American Samoa, funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program. The LWCF program provides matching grants to states and local communities for outdoor recreation facility development and is uniquely financed through offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal appropriations.

The grant funds will support infrastructure and facility enhancements at the Pago Pago park location to expand public recreational opportunities for the general public. Based on the department's historical project implementation patterns under prior LWCF awards, anticipated deliverables likely include construction or renovation of recreational amenities such as sports facilities, restroom infrastructure, playgrounds, picnic areas, and related outdoor recreation facilities designed to enhance community access to quality outdoor recreation resources in American Samoa.

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 american samoa department of parks and recreation will make developments at pago pago. This project will benefit the general public.