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 $3.0 million on October 1, 2025, to the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916), also known as the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program. The three-year project concludes on September 30, 2028. These funds support park development and infrastructure improvements at Washington Park in Casper, Wyoming, through a subaward structure with the City of Casper as the implementing sub-grantee.

The project will deliver comprehensive site improvements and facility renovations at Washington Park, including drainage improvements, bandshell structure renovation, access road construction, designated load-in and load-out areas for events, food truck facilities, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility enhancements, permanent restroom facilities, parking improvements, and landscaping throughout the park. These improvements are designed to enhance public recreational opportunities and serve the general public. The LWCF program is funded by offshore oil and gas lease revenues, rather than federal tax appropriations, and requires matching local contributions to advance outdoor recreation objectives identified in Wyoming's approved Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

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 wyoming department of state parks and cultural resources will make a subaward to the city of casper for developments at washington park. This project will benefit the general public.