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 awarded the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office $15.632 million on October 1, 2025, under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) to fund park development projects selected by the State of Washington based on its outdoor recreation priorities.

The RCO is passing through funds to the City of Olympia for phase 1 development of Yelm Highway Community Park in Washington. The City will construct a play area, dog park, two basketball courts, one soccer mini pitch, ten to fourteen pickleball courts, group picnic shelters (one to six), parking area, lighting, circulation paths, entrance signs, site furnishings, landscaping, fencing, and utilities. The project scope includes site preparation, architectural and engineering services, cultural resources assessment, and permit acquisition. The sub-award to the City of Olympia was dated September 16, 2025.

The grant period extends from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029. The Land and Water Conservation Fund awards matching grants to develop parks owned by states and local communities, funded by offshore oil and gas lease revenue rather than tax dollars. Awards under this program are made pursuant to 54 U.S.C. 2003. The project will benefit the general public.

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 olympia for developments at yelm highway community park. This project will benefit the general public.