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Land & Water Conservation Fund Timeline
Next grant round opens May 2025

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a 50/50 matching grant reimbursement program administered at the state level by the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) and funded at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS). The LWCF provides grants for outdoor recreation projects such as ball fields, pools, campgrounds, playgrounds, and land acquisitions for park development.

The following entities are eligible to apply:

  • Cities, counties, and townships
  • Park boards and park districts
  • School districts
  • State agencies
  • Water management districts
  • Federally-recognized Indian tribes

Legal Requirements

Lands that receive federal assistance through the Land and Water Conservation Fund must remain dedicated to public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity. Grantees are required to submit a property boundary map identifying the encumbered area. Property within the project boundary may not be converted to any use other than outdoor recreation without prior approval from the NDPRD and National Park Service. The entire project site identified in the project agreement is subject to public law 88-578 Section 6(F).

Any converted property must be replaced by the local sponsor with the property of equal or greater recreational value and usefulness. NDPRD should be notified before any change in use.

City of Lakota Pool

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Application

LWCF Project Selection

Applicants must register in WebGrants to submit applications; see the manual for instructions—link here: WebGrants Site.To be considered for the LWCF, a project must be a regional recreation priority. Outdoor recreation priorities by region can be found in the North Dakota State-wide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

Eligible projects are scored and ranked using the Open Project Selection Process (OPSP). Projects selected at the state level are submitted to the NPS for federal review and final approval.

 

LWCF Sponsor Funding

Local sponsors must pay all project costs upfront and then request reimbursement. Partial reimbursement may be requested periodically. LWCF grants reimburse up to 50% of the total project cost. Project sponsors will not be reimbursed for costs that are incurred before an application is approved and a local grant agreement is signed.

NOTE: A minimum total project cost of $60,000 is required for consideration and project sponsors must have 50% of the total cost available at the time of application. The local share may include tax sources, bond issues, force accounts, donated labor, equipment, and materials.

Funded Projects

Funded North Dakota Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Projects by year awarded (2013-2022):

2022 (Pre-awarded; Construction not started.)

  • Wishek Park District – Outdoor Swim Pool Renovations
  • City of Lisbon – Sandager Park Campground Upgrades
  • Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians – Ox Creek Park Splash Pad
  • Hazen Park Board – North Star Park
  • City of Lakota – Wading Pool (Phase II)
  • City of Towner – Little Park Bathrooms
  • City of Finley – Playground Replacement
  • Mandan Park District – Legion Park

2021

  • Hatton-Eielson Public School – Conrad Heskin Playground Update
  • Bismarck Park District – McQuade Softball Diamonds Playground Renovation
  • Devil’s Lake Park Board – Roosevelt Park Support Facility for Outdoor Recreation
  • Bismarck Park District – Hay Creek Park
  • Ashley Park District – Ashley City Park and Pickleball Courts
  • Leeds Park District – Little Lions Park
  • Fordville-Lankin School District #5 - Playground Improvement
  • Lincoln Park District – Daly Park Playground
  • Beach Public School District – Swing Accessibility Project
  • Jamestown Parks and Recreation District – Lawrence “Trapper” Softball Field
  • City of Coleharbor – Playground Improvement •Powers Lake City Board – Splash Pad

2020

  • Bismarck Park District- Securing Recreational Future for Lions Park
  • Park District of the City of Grand Forks - Montgomery In-field Turf Renovation
  • City of Mercer – Mercer Memorial Park Playground Replacement
  • Bismarck Park District - Sertoma Park Fitness Area
  • Mountrail County Park Board - Van Hook Recreation Area West Bath House
  • Gackle Park Board - Little Park Update
  • Turtle Lake – Mercer Public School - Playground Improvement Project
  • NDPRD – 2023-2027 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)

2019

  • Bismarck Park District- Sertoma Shelter 4 Playground
  • Bismarck Park District- Elk Ridge Park
  • City of Lakota-Lakota Swimming Pool Renovation
  • Valley City Parks and Recreation- Valley City Tennis Courts
  • Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department- Two Rivers Activity Center Splash Deck
  • Kindred Public School District #2- Kindred Baseball Renovation Project
  • Hope Park District- Hope Community Pool PVC Liner Project
  • City of Kenmare- Kenmare Downtown Square Playground Addition

2018

  • Bismarck Park District-Cottonwood Park Improvements
  • Hatton-Park District-City Park Rehab
  • City of Park River Park District-Green Acres Complex
  • Washburn School District 4-Playground Improvement Project

2017

  • Bismarck Park District-New Generations Park Splash Pad and Building
  • Beulah Park District-Lions Park Renovation
  • NDPRD-Bodensteiner Acquisition
  • NDPRD-Fort Stevenson State Park Campground
  • Walsh County-Homme Dam Improvement

2016: 

  • Barnes County Park Board-Clausen Springs Park Improvements
  • Bismarck Park District-Neighborhood Park Medora Avenue 
  • Crosby Park District-Sand Volleyball Court
  • Devils Lake Park Board-Lakewood Beach Project
  • Hillsboro Park District-Olsen Softball Complex Upgrades
  • NDPRD-Fort Stevenson State Park Playground Equipment 
  • NDPRD-State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Planning (SCORP)
  • New Salem Park District-North Park Renovation

2015

  • NDPRD-Fort Ransom State Park Visitor Service Center

2014 

  • Bismarck Park District-Hillside Aquatic Complex Lions Park 
  • Carrington Park District-Carrington City Park Equipment Improvement
  • Devils Lake Park District-Ruger Park Pool Area
  • Linton Park Board-Seeman Park Campground
  • New Rockford Park District-Riverside Park Swimming Pool

2013 

  • Bismarck Park District-Municipal Ballpark/Winterpark Expansion
  • City of Beach-Golden Valley County Memorial Park Playground Replacement
  • Devils Lake Park Board-Roosevelt and Ruger Park New Playground Equipment
  • New Rockford Park Board-Archie & Jessie Campbell Memorial Park Upgrade
  • Washburn Park District-Painted Woods Golf Course Improvement and Expansion

Full List: Funded List 2007-2018

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Featured Completed LWCF Project

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Valley City Parks & Recreation: North Central Tennis Courts

Valley City Parks and Recreation District (VCPR) successfully renovated the North Central Tennis Courts, built in the 1970s, with the help of a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant. The deteriorated courts underwent a reconstruction project due to issues like concrete undermining, cracks, and poor drainage. The grant allowed VCPR to create three post-tension tennis courts with smooth surfacing, professional court lines, and ADA-compliant access. The fenced complex ensures safety, and each court is equipped with benches and nets. VCPR Director Tyler Jacobsen noted that it's now the state's finest court complex, inviting all to enjoy the upgraded facilities. The LWCF, administered by the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, played a crucial role in making this project a reality, reflecting VCPR's commitment to enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities for the Valley City Community.