Austin, Texas – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved a record-breaking $21.2 million in local park grants to support the creation and enhancement of outdoor recreational opportunities across the state.[1][2]
These competitive grants, administered by the commission, provide a 50/50 reimbursement match to local government entities. Funded projects must be maintained as public parkland in perpetuity. The awards will benefit 50 community parks statewide, adding features such as nature trails, native landscaping, playgrounds, splash pads, sports fields, kayak launches, piers and other amenities.
Grants were categorized based on community population and project scope. Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants, for areas with populations over 500,000, went to two communities. Non-Urban Outdoor Recreation Grants supported 26 municipalities with populations under 500,000. Small Community Recreation Grants aided 14 towns with fewer than 20,000 residents.
In Central Texas, standout projects include the City of Castroville’s $469,367 grant for Lion’s Park, featuring an inclusive playground, shaded swings and sensory seating. Gatesville received $150,000 for sports lighting at Gatesville Sports Complex. Glen Rose secured $750,000 to renovate Glen Rose Soccer Park with trails, playground upgrades, soccer fields and pickleball courts. Kyle’s $750,000 Steeplechase Park phase one includes multi-modal trails, disc golf and creek restoration. Leon Valley’s $725,852 will modernize Forest Oaks Pool with landscaping. Liberty Hill’s $750,000 Heart of the Park project adds trails, shade and native trees. Marble Falls enhances Westside Park with playgrounds and courts for $750,000. McLennan County’s $551,535 Tradinghouse Lake Park improvements feature picnic areas, trails and an inclusive playground. New Braunfels’ $700,890 Coll Street park includes pavilions and rain gardens. San Antonio’s $1.5 million Pearsall Park upgrade adds a bike track. Wimberley’s $750,000 Blue Hole Regional Park gains playgrounds and amphitheaters.
East Texas projects include Center’s $250,000 American Legion Park trails and pavilions; Daingerfield’s $88,659 Irvin Park playgrounds; Gladewater’s $150,000 Garland P. Ferguson Park upgrades; Port Arthur’s $552,147 dual-park revitalization with multi-sport courts; and Teague’s $150,000 8th Avenue Park trails and pickleball.
North Texas awards cover Allen’s $750,000 Ford Park playground and trails; Alvarado’s $522,996 Pecan Orchard Park trails and pavilions plus $100,003 George Washington Carver Park playground; Breckenridge’s $430,706 splash pad; Burleson’s $608,966 nature playground; Childress’ $150,000 Fair Park splashpad; The Colony’s $750,000 B.B. Owens Softball Complex; Fort Worth’s $1.5 million Oak Grove Park trails and courts; Henrietta’s $150,000 inclusive playground; Kemp’s $150,000 playground and trail; Plainview’s $750,000 Running Water Draw Park; Spearman’s $150,000 Martin Park splashpad; Turkey’s $150,000 trails and courts; Wellington’s $750,000 Ellison Park multi-sports; and Yoakum’s $149,985 Centennial Park playground.
South Texas initiatives feature Beeville’s $149,994 Kohler Park playground; Cameron County’s $750,000 Bejarano-McFarland Park trails and kayak launch; Edinburg’s $347,927 Memorial Park courts; Harlingen’s $750,000 Arroyo Park renovations; Laredo’s $750,000 Lomas Del Sur trails and playgrounds; Live Oak County’s $150,000 Longhorn Park fishing pad; Pearsall’s $582,769 Victor Trevino splash pad and gardens; Rio Grande City’s $367,700 Fort Ringgold trails and fitness; San Benito’s $750,000 Wetlands park trails and bird blinds; South Padre Island’s $150,000 Water Tower Park turf; and Victoria’s $357,500 Meadowlane Park upgrades.
This infusion of funding underscores Texas’ commitment to expanding access to nature trails, playgrounds and sports facilities, fostering healthier communities and preserving green spaces for future generations. For more details on the local park grants program, resources are available through TPWD channels.
For more information, visit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.