Federal Funding Opportunities for Parks: Green Space, Recreation, Trails, and Resiliency

Panel Dialogue

Learn about federal funding sources (DOI/NPS, DOT, HUD, EPA, FEMA) that support urban parks, greenspace, recreation facilities, and playgrounds. Officials from federal, state, and city agencies and nonprofits will walk through the programs and explain how to access these funds.

The first half will focus on the NPS’s Stateside and Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) programs, funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, that provide matching grants to create and expand parks, develop recreation facilities, and further local recreation plans.

The second half will feature a panel of officials and nonprofit partners who will provide an overview of the HUD, EPA, and FEMA grant programs that can be used for park projects. The sessions will include advocates who have successfully secured federal dollars. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with panelists about their specific projects.

Speakers

Sedrick Mitchell

Deputy Director, Community Engagement, California State Parks

Missy Morrison

Chief, Recreation Programs Branch (Acting), National Park Service

Maggie Keller

Program Manager, Office of Community Planning and Development of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (

Liz Thorstensen

Vice President, Trail Development, Rails To Trails Conservancy

DeAnn Beck

Senior Outdoor Grants Manager, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office

Alana Lewis

Federal Policy Manager, Dream.org

Nick Kushner

Community Planner, DC Department of Parks and Recreation

Heather Ramsay Ahndan

Land Conservation Initiative Program Manager, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks