The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation has launched the 2027 grant rounds for the Recreation Trails Program and the Land & Water Conservation Fund.
The table below highlights key program information. For full details, visit the program webpage at Recreation Trails Program (RTP) and the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
| Recreation Trails Program | Land and Water Conservation Fund | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Description | Funds the development, maintenance, and restoration of public recreational trails | Supports the construction or rehabilitation of outdoor recreation facilities and the acquisition of parks and open spaces |
| Funding Source | Federal Highway Administration | National Park Service |
| Eligible Applicants | Municipalities, non-profit organizations, tribal governments and other governmental entities | Municipal entities, tribal governments, and other governmental agencies |
| Grant Amount | $7,500-$50,000 request range. No max for motorized projects. | $25,000-$1,000,000 request range |
| Match Requirement | 20% match required | 50% match required |
| Application Deadline | Pre-application due 11/20/26 (Required) Full application due 1/31/27 | Pre-application due 11/20/26 (Required) Full application due 1/31/27 |
The Department will host a series of webinars leading up to the pre application deadline. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend to learn more about each program’s requirements and how to complete the pre application materials. All sessions and presentation slides will be recorded and posted on the State's website.
- LWCF Project Planning Webinar | Tuesday, October 6th, 11:00 AM - Noon - Register for this webinar
- RTP Project Planning Webinar | Thursday, October 6th, 2:00-3:00 PM - Register for this webinar
- RTP and LWCF Pre-Application Materials Webinar | Monday, October 19th, 1:30-2:30 PM - Register for this webinar
Prospective applicants can contact the Outdoor Recreation Grant team at ANR.FPRRecreationGrants@vermont.gov with questions. The entire team monitors and responds from that address.