Missouri State Parks has announced that applications are now open for the 2026 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants, which provide federal funding to develop and improve outdoor recreation facilities across the state.
Local governments, cities, counties, and public schools are eligible to apply for grants of up to $500,000 per project, with a required 50% match. Projects funded through LWCF must be open to the public at reasonable times and can include a wide range of recreational facilities such as playgrounds, ball fields, pools, water parks, archery and shooting ranges, camping facilities, picnic areas, boating and fishing facilities, trails, and passive outdoor spaces.
The application deadline is Nov. 14, 2025. Applicants must complete the electronic application in full, then mail two hard copies of the completed application and all supporting documents to Missouri State Parks, Grants Management, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, or deliver to 1659 E. Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
To help applicants navigate the process, virtual workshops will be held via Webex from Sept. 2-4. A general information session is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m., followed by four sessions focused on completing specific sections of the application. Registration for workshops is available on the Grant Workshops webpage.
Grant recipients are required to follow administrative guidelines, including proper documentation, ADA compliance, regular inspections, and installation of LWCF project signage.
Past LWCF projects have supported recreational developments statewide, including the City of Clinton’s Kids’ World Playground, which recently shared a popular time-lapse video of its construction.
For complete application instructions and resources, visit the 2026 Open Project Selection Process page on the Missouri State Parks website.
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