NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Dozens of communities across the Volunteer State will see funding from the Local Parks and Recreation Fund, the Recreational Trails Program and the Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Office of Outdoor Recreation announced $22,059,191 in grants from those funds and programs Monday.

The LPRF provides state funding to match local investments in recreational infrastructure or buy land for parks, greenways, natural areas or recreational facilities. The TRIP, meanwhile, helps provide funding for cities and counties lacking professional park and recreational directors to help establish parks and recreation departments. The RTP, finally, provides federal funding for cities and counties lacking park and recreational directors for the establishment of the department.

“Local parks are an important aspect of outdoor recreation, and we are glad these grants will help communities across the state,” Greer Tidwell, Deputy Commissioner of Conservation for TDEC, said in a press release. “This makes parks affordable for local governments, and we look forward to the results of this assistance.”

All of the grants announced Monday are included in the table below, along with their awarded program, grant amount and a description of the funded project. Projects in Middle Tennessee are bolded.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with our local communities to help enhance enjoyment of the great outdoors,” Brian Clifford, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation, said in a press release. “These projects will directly improve health and strengthen economies, helping Tennessee thrive through parks and outdoor recreation.”

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/2025-tdec-oor-grants/