Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a matching grant program administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources that funds acquisition and development of outdoor recreation sites and facilities. Enacted by Congress in 1965 and permanently funded in 2020, LWCF provides grants covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.

Since the program launched, Indiana has received approximately $90 million in federal funds, supporting acquisition of more than 30,000 acres for public outdoor recreation. Eligible applicants include units of government and certain 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Indiana. Projects supported by an established park board receive additional scoring consideration.

State Parks: Land and Water Conservation Fund Land and Water Conservation Fund Community Grants & Trails Land and Water Conservation Fund The LWCF application requirement to maintain a park board has been rescinded effective April 2026. Applicants with an existing, formally established park board should indicate this in their application.

Projects supported by an established park board will receive additional consideration during the rate and rank process. The Land and Water Conservation Program Participation in outdoor recreation activities is expanding so rapidly that park agencies often face a financial burden in attempting to provide enough facilities to keep up with the demand.

Congress passed the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 1965 to assist eligible governmental units in providing new outdoor recreation opportunities. The LWCF was permanently funded in 2020. The LWCF is a matching assistance program that provides grants up to 50% of the cost for the acquisition and/or development of outdoor recreation sites and facilities.

Since the program began, Indiana has received approximately $90 million in federal funds. More than 30,000 acres of land have been acquired in Indiana with LWCF assistance for public outdoor recreation use and conservation. Reimbursements will not be paid out until after a state grant agreement is fully approved, approximately three months after federal approval.

Project sponsors must submit a reimbursement request to the project grant coordinator on a regular basis (twice per year, preferred). Reimbursements are typically for 50% of total project expenditures submitted on the request, until the final reimbursement which may be a different percentage. Five percent of the grant amount is held until the project is fully completed and approved for close-out by the grant coordinator.

Project sponsors may use a combination of appropriations, bond issues, force account labor, and donations of land, cash, labor, materials, or equipment to match the grant. Other federal funding sources generally cannot be used as the local share of the project. Grant applications may consist of land acquisition and/or facility construction or renovation for local public parks for outdoor recreation.

New parks or additions to existing parks may be funded. The land acquisition or development may not be started until final approval is received from the federal government. All land to be developed must be controlled by the park board through direct ownership.

Examples of types of projects include: Acquiring park or natural area Sports and playfields, such as playgrounds, ballfields, court facilities and golf courses Water-oriented facilities for boating, swimming, and access to lakes, rivers, and streams Natural areas, nature centers, or interpretive facilities Fishing and hunting areas Amphitheaters and bandstands Roads, restrooms, utilities, or park maintenance buildings All facilities should be universally designed for persons with disabilities and the park board’s facilities, programs and activities must be open to the public without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or disability.

The LWCF Guidebook includes seven handbooks as step-by-step guides. > Federal Compliance Review Plan Review & Construction Handbook Procurement, Billing, Closeout Post-Completion Compliance & Stewardship To be eligible for LWCF grant funds, the applicant must have established a public park and recreation board according to Indiana law.

The park and recreation board must have a current five-year park and recreation master plan approved by the Indiana DNR. If you do not have a five-year park and recreation master plan, please see the links at the bottom of this page . Pre-application Meetings: Project sponsors are required to have a pre-application meeting with the Grants Team.

Meetings may be on site or virtual. Email LWCF@dnr. IN.

gov early to discuss the proposed project and application process. Due Date for Applications: Applications must be received at LWCF@dnr. IN.

gov by Aug. 1.

Application checklist --> Article XXI: Build America, Buy America Regulations Assurance of Compliance Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion DNR Early Coordination Recommendations Certification of Compliance DNR Subrecipient Information Sheet Grant billing form instructions LWCF Project Timeline Template The Community Grants and Trails section has guidelines for preparing 5-year park and recreation master plans .

Protecting LWCF Assisted Properties Forever: All parks that are acquired or developed using LWCF grant assistance require federal encumbrance be included on each deed, thereby protecting the property solely for outdoor recreation use in perpetuity (i.e., forever).

This encumbrance protects LWCF properties from being developed or sold for non-outdoor recreation uses such as but not limited to building a library, fire station, or cell tower on the property. Selling LWCF protected land or building noncompliant structures within the encumbrance boundary may result in a conversion of use. Indiana Department of Natural Resources Buy gifts from state parks Reserve room at state park inn More IN.

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