PRA Planning for Recreation Access

Funding

$1.7 million

Details

Grant Limit

TBD

Details

Match Requirement

None

Details

The Washington State Legislature created the Planning for Recreation Access program to fund planning projects in communities that lack adequate access to outdoor recreation opportunities. This program specifically focuses on diverse urban neighborhoods, small rural communities, and those that are less experienced with RCO's grant process.

Grants are used to support planning, community engagement, and collaboration between local governments, community-based organizations, and residents to define outdoor recreation needs, prioritize investments to address those needs, and prepare on-the-ground projects for RCO and other funding opportunities.

Grant Application Schedule

Item Date

Application Webinar, Applications Open

Register for application webinar

May 13, 2026 

Application Due

July 15, 2026 

Technical Review

July 23, 2026 - September 10, 2026

Project Evaluation

September 17, 2026 - October 6, 2026

Director Approves Ranked List

October 14, 2026 

Grants Awarded

October 21, 2026 

Grant Award History

Most recent grants and evaluation results, listed by the application year.

Application Resources

Grant Manual

Announcements

Typical Projects

  • Long-range, comprehensive recreation planning
  • Pre-design plans and permitting for a park or athletic facility
  • Master planning, feasibility study, or technical survey for a park or trail

Who May Apply?

  • Cities, counties, towns
  • Native American tribes
  • Nonprofits
  • Special purpose districts such as park and recreation, port, conservation, and school districts

Funding

The Legislature provides funding from the sale of state bonds.

Grant Limits

RCO is working on setting grant limits, but they most likely will be $200,000 for site-specific projects and $100,000 for comprehensive plans. This web page will be updated as soon as the limits are set.

Match Details

Applicants are not required to provide matching resources.

Eligible Projects

All phases of planning, pre-design, and technical assistance for public outdoor recreation facilities including comprehensive plans, construction drawings, environmental assessments, feasibility and preconstruction studies, cultural resources surveys, and site master plans.

Ineligible Projects

  • Projects unlikely to lead to capital development
  • Planning for recreation programming

Questions?

Beth Auerbach, outdoor grants manager, 360-280-6103

Edison Velez, outdoor grants manager, 360-340-1280

Washington Relay Service for hearing impaired, dial 711