The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) has approved a record-breaking $30.9 million in local park grants to enhance outdoor recreational opportunities across the state. The funding, allocated through competitive grants on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis, will help create and improve community parks, nature trails, splash pads, playgrounds, and other amenities. As part of the program, funded sites must remain parkland in perpetuity, properly maintained, and open to the public.
Fifty community parks statewide will benefit from these grants, distributed across various categories based on population size and project scope. Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants are reserved for communities with populations exceeding 500,000, while Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants serve municipalities with populations under 500,000. Small Community Recreation Grants support towns with populations of less than 20,000.
In East Texas, the City of Mount Vernon in Franklin County received a $325,000 Non-Urban Outdoor Grant for upgrades to Little Creek Park. Improvements will include a playground, sports court resurfacing and restriping, shade installations, native landscaping, signage, and other amenities. In Delta County, the City of Cooper was awarded a $150,000 Small Community Grant for enhancements to Harmon Park, featuring new playground equipment, accessible paths and parking, native landscaping, and interpretive signage.
Other grant recipients in East Texas include Angleton, Brazoria County, Carthage, Center, Coldspring, College Station, Columbus, Galveston, Harris County, La Porte, Pineland, and Troup. Projects range from inclusive playgrounds to nature trails and splash pads.
In North Texas, Cooper was joined by numerous communities receiving funding. The City of Dallas was awarded $1 million to renovate the Marcus Recreation Center, while Denton received $750,000 for the Lily Cantú Inclusive Playground Project. Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Granbury, Grapevine, Springtown, and Weatherford also secured grants to enhance parks with features like kayak launches, bird-watching stations, fitness equipment, and upgraded sports facilities.
