PROVIDENCE, RI – Recognizing the positive health, social, and community impacts of outdoor recreation, U.S. Senator Jack Reed says a new $2.73 million infusion from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is coming to Rhode Island this month to boost outdoor recreation and safeguard natural areas across the Ocean State.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) can use this federal funding to enhance and develop parks, trails, ball fields, campgrounds, playgrounds, and wildlife refuges. 

Previous projects that have been awarded LWCF dollars include: facilities and amenities improvements at Goddard Memorial Park; a new green beach pavilion at Lincoln Woods State Park; and upgraded bathroom facilities at Fishermen’s State Park and Campground.

“Land and Water Conservation Funds are crucial to Rhode Island and DEM does a tremendous job putting them to work.  Our park system is essential to our economy, community, and public health and wellness. This federal funding will help the state invest in upgrading outdoor recreational facilities and protecting open spaces. I am pleased to support federal funding to enhance parks, trails, and wildlife refuges while providing more opportunities for Rhode Islanders to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of our state,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, which funds proposed LWCF projects.

Senator Reed helped pass the Great American Outdoors Act, fully funding LWCF at $900 million annually and helping to address the maintenance backlog on federal parks and public lands. 

The National Park Service administers the LWCF state assistance program at the national level.  A portion of LWCF is generated from federal offshore oil and gas lease revenues.

DEM awards its allocation of LWCF dollars to local communities and municipalities through a competitive application process.  These federal funds must be matched by the state and may be used for acquisition, new construction, and renovation of recreational sites.

With this latest round of federal funding, roughly $75 million in LWCF aid has been invested in Rhode Island to protect the state’s open spaces, coastlines, and historic sites and increase outdoor recreation access over the last half century.

According to DEM, Rhode Island’s natural and public assets include roughly 8,200 acres of parkland, 1,000 campsites, 400 miles of hiking and biking trails, 200 fishing spots, 25 parks and nature preserves, and eight saltwater beaches that attract over nine million visitors a year.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia are included in the distribution of federal LWCF awards.  Each state receives a portion of the funds based on population.  Then, the funds are distributed based on need.  This latest LWCF money will be available to use until 2025.