Dr. MiltieAtlas by Dr. Miltie™Nationwide Grant Intelligence
Open — California 2027 LWCF local/non-state agency competitive financial-assistance application window; closes January 14, 2027 at 11:59 p.m.
CA-STATE-PARKS-LWCF-LOCAL-COMPETITIVE-FY2027CaliforniaCapital & Infrastructure

California — 2027 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Local Agency Grants (Up to $6,000,000; 50% Match)

California State Parks is accepting 2027 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) local agency applications through January 14, 2027 for eligible California public agencies and federally recognized tribes acquiring or developing public outdoor recreation areas. The maximum local agency request is $6,000,000 per project and a 50% match is required. The estimated $27.5 million statewide allocation is not an individual award.

FundingUp to $6,000,000 per California eligible local-agency project; mandatory 50% qualifying applicant match. Approximately $27,500,000 total statewide local agency funding pool is NOT an individual award. Current overview does not specify a universal minimum applicant award.
DeadlineJanuary 14, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. as published by California State Parks and its OGALS Submittable application portal. The reviewed official text does not expressly provide a time zone; submit early.
Last verified2026-10-26
Required next actionConfirm applicant is eligible California city/county, federally recognized Tribe, qualifying park JPA, park/recreation district or other authorized non-state special district. Read the current 2027 LWCF Application Guide, eligibility card, match and reimbursement guidance and SCORP priorities. Verify public park project eligibility and permanent outdoor recreation use restrictions, secure project land control and 50% qualifying match, prepare official application, resolution, CEQA documents, boundary map checklist, budget narrative and required environmental/section 106 documentation as applicable. Submit through OGALS Submittable by January 14, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. and retain confirmation.

Broad Eligibility

California local/non-state public agencies: cities, counties, federally recognized Native American tribes, qualifying park-purpose public-agency JPAs, and authorized park/recreation or other eligible special districts. Must acquire/develop eligible public outdoor recreation park assets and commit required 50% match. Long-term public outdoor recreation site dedication and grant environmental and historic preservation requirements apply. Local 2027 competition is separate from state agency apportionments.

Atlas Analysis

Official State Parks current 2027 LWCF page and August 18, 2026 state application announcement and OGALS Submittable portal directly reviewed October 26, 2026. Verified real local applicant-facing state-administered federal pass-through financial assistance, not direct federal procurement. Confirmed applicant max $6m per project, mandatory 50% match, Jan 14 2027 11:59 p.m. deadline, eligible public entities, site use restriction in perpetuity, project scope, NPS final approval and submission prerequisites. $27.5m is local statewide program pool, not individual. The official full 2027 Application Guide is linked on the state program page and governs detailed conditions; no unsupported cost or applicant dollar minima added. Do not confuse separate state-agency LWCF apportionment cycle.

2027 applicant-facing park and outdoor recreation financial assistance

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS), administers the 2027 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Local Agency Competitive Program for eligible California public-sector applicants. The program funds qualifying land acquisition and development to create or improve permanently accessible public parks, trails, and outdoor recreational amenities. Local agency applications are due January 14, 2027, by 11:59 p.m. through the official State Parks online application portal. This is a competitive federal pass-through grant, not state procurement.

Eligible applicants

Eligible local/non-state applicants include California cities and counties; federally recognized Native American tribes; qualified Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs) with public agency members and a park-and-recreation purpose; and non-state park, recreation, or special districts authorized to acquire, operate and maintain public park and recreation areas. This applicant-facing round is specifically for local/non-state agencies; the separate California state-agency apportionment and earlier state-agency deadline are not this grant cycle. Ordinary commercial vendors and nonprofits without qualifying public applicant status are not eligible applicants in the announced local-agency competition.

Award size, match and program totals

Eligible local agencies may request up to $6,000,000 per project. The controlling funder page specifies a 50% match requirement; the applicant must document its qualifying contribution and finance remaining nonfederal costs. The estimated $27,500,000 statewide local-agency funding pool is the total allocation for the competition and not an individual applicant award. No universal fixed minimum project award is stated on the current overview page; applicants must consult the current Application Guide and match/reimbursement guidance.

Eligible purposes and enduring restrictions

Funding supports land acquisition or development of public outdoor recreation amenities such as parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, trails, picnic facilities, and recreation access improvements that meet the controlling guide. Federal LWCF-assisted sites must remain dedicated to public outdoor recreation in perpetuity, and later conversion to non-recreation use generally requires federal approval and qualifying replacement. Environmental, cultural and historic preservation review, long-term site control, project boundary mapping and post-selection National Park Service review are significant obligations. Applicants should plan for eligible project costs and matching funds, competitive state outdoor recreation priorities, project access and operation, and requirements in the current LWCF Application Guide.

Required application action

Review the California State Parks LWCF program page, including its current 2027 Application Guide, Applicant Eligibility Card, reimbursement/match guidance, Community FactFinder and SCORP priorities. Prepare the official application form, eligible public agency authorizing resolution, project scope and budget narrative, site tenure documentation, CEQA certification, and boundary map checklist where applicable. Submit through California State Parks OGALS online portal by January 14, 2027 at 11:59 p.m.; the portal does not accept paper submissions and sends a confirmation email after the owner submits. State Parks evaluates applications before forwarding selected projects to the National Park Service for final review and approval.

Official funder sources

California State Parks 2027 LWCF applicant terms, deadline and application resources; State Parks August 18, 2026 application launch; Official OGALS online application portal. Reviewed against live state program instructions and funder portal October 26, 2026.

Source verificationOfficial government source · www.parks.ca.govAtlas last verified this record 2026-10-26. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗