Wyoming will benefit from more than $1.8 million this year from Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) money for outdoor recreation grants administered by the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails.

This year’s total of $1,843,483 is nearly $340,000 more than available last year.

The LWCF program is a 50% reimbursable grant program that provides funding for the acquisition and development of public parks and other outdoor recreation opportunities. LWCF is funded from the federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf pursuant to the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act and appropriated by Congress.

Since its inception in 1965, this program has funded hundreds of recreational projects throughout the State.  Historically, this program has funded various recreational projects including playground equipment and upgrades, sports fields, shooting ranges, and associated facilities.

Some examples from last year’s funding were awarded to the Town of Marbleton to build a community fishing pond, the City of Sundance to build a central park and the city of Cheyenne to replace synthetic turf on a baseball field. 

Kathy Lenz of the City of Sundance Treasurer’s Office is excited for this project in her community. 

"The Land and Water Conservation Fund grants are an invaluable asset to us,” Lenz said. “These grants make it possible for us to fund recreational facilities that we normally wouldn't be able to."

“We encourage communities to apply and to call with any project planning or grant application questions,” Wyoming State Parks Grant Manager Louisa Lopez said. “There is still time to put some planning and thought into your projects as these applications will be due at the end of the year.”

To be eligible, the project site must be maintained for public outdoor recreation for perpetuity, and the applicant must be a municipality, county, school district or recreation district. LWCF grant applications must be postmarked no later than December 31.

For more information contact Louisa Lopez, Grant Manager, SPCR 307-777-6491 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..