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TRPA Grant Programs

The Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA) is funded through a portion of Texas sales tax received on select sporting good items. TRPA is administered by TPWD's Recreation Grants Branch and funds five grant programs. These grant programs include: The Outdoor Recreation Grant Program, Indoor Recreation Grant Program, Small Community Grant Program, Regional Park Grant Program, and the Community Outdoor Outreach Program. After a series of public hearings and publication in the Texas Register, the guidelines for each program were approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Funding and Deadline Changes as of January 27, 2006

During the August 25, 2005 public hearing of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, the significant reductions in grant funds appropriated by the Texas Legislature for the Texas Recreation and Parks Account (TRPA) grant programs Program were discussed. Funding has been reduced for the TRPA grant programs from over $20 million per year in 2002 to just over $5.6 million available for the current fiscal year. Recreation Grants Branch staff were charged to check with our constituency and determine if the limited appropriations for the TRPA Program are allocated properly, given these significant funding reductions, and if other administrative changes were needed.

An invitation for review and comments was distributed in September 2005 to more than 2,000 contacts representing the political subdivisions of Texas, the 24 Regional Councils of Government, professional consultants, private citizens and members of the Texas Recreation and Parks Society. The Recreation Grants staff reviewed all responses, discussed results and developed an implementation plan.

As a result of comments received from this solicitation, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved the following changes related to our TRPA grant programs:

  1. Reduce the Outdoor Program reviews to one per year, where the next review of applications will be July 31, 2006, and those applications be considered at the January 2007 Commission Hearing. We are suspending the January 31, 2006 deadline, and those applications received intended for that review cycle will be combined with those submitting for the July 31, 2006 deadline for a larger, single FY 2007 Outdoor Recreation grant competition.
  2. Reduce the maximum request amount in the Outdoor Program from $500,000 to $400,000 per application, beginning with the July 31, 2006 Review.
  3. Postpone the Regional Program grant reviews until adequate funding is available.
  4. Reduce the Community Outdoor Outreach Program (COOP) reviews to one per year, deadline for applications will be only in February. The October 2006 call for applications is suspended.
  5. No changes are made in the Small Communities Grant Program, with the annual application submission deadline remaining January 31, 2006, with a maximum allowable project of $50,000 in 50% matching funds.

Once your project has been approved, you will receive the Instructions For Approved Projects (the green book). This booklet is designed to provide step-by-step instructions for project administration through completion. It has several flow charts and a number of checklists that you will find helpful. You may want to print a set of these instructions for the person who will be responsible for grant coordination.

TPWD Recreation Grants Branch sends out an electronic newsletter to announce grants, deadlines, and other related information. To subscribe to this (email) newsletter, please e-mail Rec Grants and request to be added to the subscription list. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail us or call 512/912-7124.

Outdoor Recreation Grants

This program provides 50% matching grant funds to acquire and develop parkland or to renovate existing public recreation areas. In the past, there were two funding cycles per year. Starting in 2006, there will be one funding cycle and a maximum award of $400,000 (deadline July 31, 2006). Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, MUDs, and other special districts. Projects must be completed within three years of approval. Application deadline is July 31st each year. Awards are distributed in January. For complete information on this land acquisition/and park construction grant, please download the Outdoor Recreation Grant Application.

Indoor Recreation (Facility) Grants

The program provides 50% matching grant funds to municipalities, counties, MUDs, and other local units of government to construct recreation centers, community centers, nature centers and other facilities. The grant maximum is $417,563 per application. The application deadline is July 31st each year. Awards are distributed the following January. For more information on this land acquisition/facility construction grant, please download the Indoor Facility Recreation Grant Application.

Small Community Grants

The grant program was created in 2001 to meet the recreation needs of small Texas communities with a population of 20,000 and under. The grant provides 50% matching grant funds (maximum $50,000) to eligible municipalities and counties. Funds must be employed for development or beautification of parkland. Eligible projects include ball fields, boating, fishing, and hunting facilities, picnic facilities, playgrounds, swimming pools, trails, camping facilities, beautification, restoration, gardens, sports courts and support facilities. The deadline for this program is January 31st each year.

Community Outdoor Outreach Program (COOP) Grants

The COOP grant helps to introduce under-served populations to the services, programs, and facilities of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. This is not a land acquisition or construction grant; this is only for programs and services. Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations, schools, municipalities, counties, cities, and other groups. Minimum grant requests are $5,000 and maximum grant requests are $30,000. This grant program has changed from two funding cycles to one funding cycle per year. Application deadline is February 1st of each year. Awards are distributed the April 15th. Download COOP Grant Application:

Recreational Trail Grants

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) administers the National Recreational Trails Fund in Texas under the approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This federally funded program receives its funding from a portion of federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in non-highway recreational vehicles. The grants can be up to 80% of project cost. Funds can be spent on both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects such as the construction of new recreational trails, to improve existing trails, to develop trailheads or trailside facilities, and to acquire trail corridors. Download Recreational Trail Grant Application:

Boating Access Grants

This grant program provides 75% matching grant funds for the construction of public boat ramp facilities throughout Texas. Local government sponsors must make an application, provide the land, provide access to the proposed boat ramp, supply 25% of the development costs, and accept operation and maintenance responsibilities for a minimum 25-year period. These funds are allocated annually through the federal Sport Fish Restoration Act. The normal deadlines for this program are June 30th and October 31st. Download Boating Access Grant Application:

Boat Sewage Pumpout Grants (available online in 2006)

Federal funds through the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 allow private marinas and local governments to receive grants to install boat sewage pumpout stations in Texas. Pumpout Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and can constitute up to 75% of all approved project costs. These grants provide funds for the construction and/or renovation, operation, and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations. Priority consideration will be given to applications which provide pumpout facilities under federally approved state master plans. Proposals offering the greatest benefit to the intended waters and the general public will also take precedence. All recreational vessels must have equal access to pumpout stations funded under the Clean Vessel Act. These stations will be marked on all nautical charts. A maximum fee of $5.00 may be charged by operators to cover use and maintenance costs.

Target Range Grants

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers Federal funds to assist in the construction, development, improvement, and/or maintenance of target ranges and associated facilities. These grants are available to qualifying applicants from both private clubs, non-profit organizations, and local governments who provide public use of their facilities. This is a 75% reimbursement program. The applicant is expected to finance 25% of the entire project. Thus, the amount of the grant award varies, depending on the project. DEADLINE: Project proposals may be submitted at any time. Awards will be determined by funding availability and by the grant application's rank within the TPWD Target Range Plan which serves as a scoresheet for the grant application. The National Rifle Association Range Source Book ($49.95) provides important guidelines for planning and construction of target ranges. Please note that construction of projects should not begin until federal and state approval is granted. Project participants will be notified upon approval of their grant application. For information on this grant, please contact Steve Hall at 512/389-4568.

Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grants

TPWD administers the Texas apportionments of LWCF through the Texas Recreation Park Account. If you are applying for an Indoor Grant, Outdoor Grant, or Small Community Grant, TPWD may consider your application for LWCF funding. You do not need to make a separate application.