Minnesota DNR

Outdoor Recreation Grants

Overview

This program seeks to increase and enhance outdoor recreation facilities in local and community parks throughout the state by providing matching funds to local governments for acquiring parkland and developing or redeveloping local parks or recreation areas.

Grant Website

Application & Review Process

Deadline: March 27, 2020

The DNR reviews all applications. Applications are judged based on consistency with strategic directions identified in the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

Funding Amount

$10,000 – $250,000

Grants are reimbursed up to 50% of the total eligible project cost. In the past, grants have been primarily funded with federal dollars from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LAWCON) and state funding from the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund and “In Lieu Of” lottery proceeds.

Eligibility

Projects

Acquisition, (re-)development, and/or rehabilitation of outdoor recreation facilities, such as boat access sites, campgrounds, fishing areas, skating rinks, nature areas, picnic shelters, playgrounds, sports courts, skating rinks, swimming areas, non-motorized trails within a park, etc.

Infrastructure

Land/Resource

Applicants

Cities, counties, townships, and tribal governments are eligible. Applicant must be current or intended owner and manager of the property to be acquired or developed.

Government Entity

Land Type & Geography

Projects must take place within Minnesota at city, county, or township parks. Projects within state park boundaries are not eligible.

Regional

Local

Parks

Statistics & Examples

Funding History

Year	Funds Awarded	# Projects	Average Award
FY20	$3,615,050	22	$164,320
FY19	$1,832,200	20	$91,610
FY18	$1,254,000	12	$104,500
FY17	$580,875	9	$64,542
FY16	$638,638	9	$70,960

FY20 Project Distribution

City - 91%
County - 9%

Past Award Examples

Amount	Recipient	Project
$18,150	Beltrami County	Rognlien Park: Develop a winter fishing access, walkways, benches and stabilize the eroding beach bank.
$32,500	City of Roseau	City Center Park: Develop access trails, resting areas, information kiosk, kayak launch, rain garden, natural restoration and site amenities.
$100,000	City of St. Louis Park	Westwood Hills Nature Center: Develop a nature playground.
$160,000	City of Waconia	Brook Peterson Park: Redevelop restrooms, pedestrian access points, multi-use trails and develop picnic shelter and lighting.
$250,000	Sherburne County	Bridgeview Regional Park Reserve: Develop two scenic overlooks of the Mississippi River, trails, parking, access road and educational signs (kiosk).

All Grants

Grant Guide