Current competitive financial-assistance opportunity
The California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS), is accepting the 2026 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP), Round 5 competition funded by California Proposition 4 (2024 Climate Bond). Grants support creating new public parks, developing recreation opportunities, and qualifying renovations or expansions of existing parks for critically underserved and climate-vulnerable communities across California. Applications are open through December 17, 2026, 11:59 p.m. as confirmed by the official electronic application portal.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are California cities, counties, qualifying districts, eligible joint powers authorities (including at least one eligible city, county or qualifying district member), and 501(c)(3) nonprofits, subject to the exact applicant definitions in the official Round 5 Application Guide. Project competitiveness and eligibility depend on underserved or climate-vulnerable community need, public park access, site tenure, feasible park delivery and long-term project operation. The state Community FactFinder and grant selection criteria provide the controlling site and beneficiary evaluation.
Individual award limits and match
Minimum grant request: $200,000 per project. Maximum grant request: $8,500,000 per project. No applicant match is required. California State Parks identifies approximately $188,500,000 statewide total Round 5 funding, which is the entire competition pool, not an individual applicant award. Any project budget beyond the request must have committed additional sources consistent with the final SPP Guide.
Eligible projects and major conditions
Eligible projects include acquisition and development of new public parkland and qualifying renovation/expansion projects that add meaningful outdoor recreation opportunities for communities in greatest need. Examples include accessible playgrounds, open recreational spaces, community gardens, athletic fields, trails, exercise areas, and other eligible facilities in the applicant’s approved scope. Prioritize demonstrable community-based planning, equity, climate vulnerability and long-term use and maintenance. Applicants must follow the final Round 5 Guide for eligible acquisition, design and construction costs, site-control/lease requirements, competitive selection criteria, required authorizations and restrictions. This is a public-benefit grant, not an ordinary construction services bid or vendor purchasing contract.
Application process and deadline
Submit through California State Parks OGALS online application portal (Submittable) by December 17, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete submission by 5 p.m. because technical assistance ends then. Paper applications are not accepted. Required material on the official grant webpage includes the SPP Round 5 Application Guide, project application and community FactFinder certification, authorizing resolution, grant scope/cost estimate, budget narrative, funding sources, project timeline, nonprofit guidance where relevant, and site-tenure/lease documentation as applicable. Applicants should engage their State Parks county Competitive Review Project Officer for formal program questions and confirm successful portal submission.
Controlling official links
California State Parks SPP Round 5 official guidelines, forms, deadlines and resources; State Parks August 28, 2026 Round 5 funding announcement; OGALS Submittable application portal. Current official announcement, application portal, applicant categories, funding limits, match requirements and project scope verified October 26, 2026. Refer to the final Round 5 Application Guide for all detailed conditions.