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 $5.69 million to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) on October 1, 2025. This Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program grant funds park development and infrastructure improvements at Letchworth State Park in New York. The project will be completed by September 30, 2028, and is designed to enhance recreational amenities and public access to outdoor recreation facilities for the general public.

The LWCF State and Local Assistance Program provides matching grants to states and local communities for acquiring and developing publicly owned parks and recreation areas, with funding derived from offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal tax appropriations. Projects must be identified in approved Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans. New York's selection of the Letchworth State Park development project aligns with the state's outdoor recreation priorities and represents a typical application of LWCF funding to advance recreational infrastructure and public access objectives across the United States.

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 new york state office of parks, recreation hist. Preservation will make developments at letchworth state park. This project will benefit the general public.