Land & Water Conservation Fund Timeline
Next grant round opens: TBD
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a 50/50 matching grant reimbursement program administered at the state level by the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) and funded at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS). The LWCF provides grants for outdoor recreation projects such as ball fields, pools, campgrounds, playgrounds, and land acquisitions for park development.
The following entities are eligible to apply:
- Cities, counties, and townships
- Park boards and park districts
- School districts
- State agencies
- Water management districts
- Federally-recognized Indian tribes
Legal Requirements
Lands that receive federal assistance through the Land and Water Conservation Fund must remain dedicated to public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. Grantees are required to submit a property boundary map identifying the encumbered area. Property within the project boundary may not be converted to any use other than outdoor recreation without prior approval from the NDPRD and National Park Service. The entire project site identified in the project agreement is subject to public law 88-578 Section 6(F).
Any converted property must be replaced by the local sponsor with the property of equal or greater recreational value and usefulness. NDPRD should be notified before any change in use.
City of Lakota Pool
Featured Completed LWCF Project
Mandan Parks & Recreation: Legion Park
Mandan Parks and Recreation applied to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in 2022 in hopes of replacing 22-year-old outdated playground equipment. With all of the advancements in play technology, Mandan Parks and Recreation prioritized making overall improvements to Legion Park, one of the community's most frequented destination parks.
“We were excited to get the grant to replace the old playground equipment with new play structures that were more accessible and inclusive,” said Dustin Fleck, Park Operations Manager. The new playground is geared to the 2 to 12-year-old age group and has fun features for all ages to enjoy. The playground consists of a “360 Loop,” which allows children of all abilities to access a ramp connected to a slide, which allows users to come back to the same starting point. There is also the innovative new Konnection swing that allows toddlers and children to swing with their parents. The swing set also includes an adaptive swing seat and two toddler bucket swings.
Some other unique features of the park include a play doctor’s office, musical center, sensory nook, and different types of modern merry-go-rounds. Other outdoor recreation aspects of the park include a picnic shelter alongside the playground. There is also an outdoor ice rink with a corresponding comfort station/warming house. “We were able to improve the warming house with new shingles, fascia, and gutter system,” Fleck added.