Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) – Round 5 – Proposition 4

The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program, also referred to as the Statewide Park Program or SPP, is a competitive grant program administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation through the Office of Grants and Local Services. The program is intended to create new parks and new recreation opportunities in critically underserved communities across California. SPP was originally supported through Proposition 84, Proposition 68, and State General Funds. Proposition 4, the 2024 Climate Bond Act, continues the program and provides 188.5 million dollars for the Round 5 funding cycle. The program has historically supported the creation, expansion, and improvement of parks in communities with significant park, income, and environmental needs. Eligible projects must involve development or a combination of acquisition and development to create a new park, renovate an existing park, or expand an existing park. A project's half-mile radius must have either less than three acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, a median household income below 80 percent of the California median household income, or proximity to a climate vulnerability. Development projects must create or renovate at least one recreation feature. Examples include athletic fields and courts, community gardens, recreation centers located in or adjacent to parks, dog parks, skate parks, trails, outdoor fitness areas, open spaces, picnic areas, playgrounds, plazas, and public art. Major support amenities such as restrooms, parking, pathways, landscaping, lighting, fencing, and security cameras may also be included, but applications solely for major support amenities are ineligible. Round 5 has 188.5 million dollars available. The minimum grant request is 200,000 dollars and the maximum grant request is 8.5 million dollars per application. No match is required, and the grant may fund the entire project. Each park requires a separate application, while an applicant may submit applications for multiple different parks and potentially receive multiple awards. Eligible applicants are cities, counties, districts, joint powers authorities where at least one member is an eligible district, city, or county, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Acquisition costs associated with condemnation or eminent domain are not eligible, and state funds cannot be used to purchase property above its appraised fair market value. Pre-construction costs may not exceed 25 percent of the grant amount. Applicants must use the online application process identified on the SPP program website and submit each project site as a separate application. The application package contains 14 checklist areas, including the Project Application Form, responses to Project Selection Criteria 1 through 10, Community FactFinder Report and Certification Form, Authorizing Resolution Form, Grant Scope and Cost Estimate Form, Indirect Cost Rate Form, Budget Narrative, Funding Sources Form, Project Timeline Form, applicant capacity information, project site status documentation, concept-level site plan, photos and Copyright License Agreement, project location map, nonprofit requirements when applicable, and Conservation Corps consultation review. Certain incomplete checklist items may use a one-page placeholder describing status and estimated completion date, but Project Selection Criteria responses must be complete by the application deadline and cannot be revised afterward. Applications are competitively evaluated using ten Project Selection Criteria totaling 100 possible points. The criteria address critical lack of park space, significant poverty, climate vulnerable populations, type of project, community-based planning, employment or volunteer opportunities, partnerships or committed funding, environmental design, public use fees and operating hours, and community challenges, project benefits, and readiness. Applicants are encouraged to review the Competitive Chart, Application Guide, technical assistance opportunities, and Grant Administration Guide before submission. Community engagement occurring after November 5, 2024, is particularly important to the community-based planning criteria. Environmental design is also required, with projects expected to incorporate qualifying sustainable techniques or pursue the specified SITES or LEED certification alternative. The Round 5 application period is currently open and applications are due December 17, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit at least 24 hours before the deadline to reduce technical or submission problems. The Office of Grants and Local Services expects to announce grant awards approximately six months after the application deadline. Selected applicants must attend a mandatory grant administration workshop before receiving a grant contract. Grantees are responsible for applicable environmental compliance, required project signage, benefit and outcome reporting, and completion within the grant performance period. Projects should be completed at least six months before the end of that performance period to support final payment processing, and grantees must ensure operation and maintenance of the project site for 30 years beginning with the appropriation date. Technical assistance is available through the Competitive Grant Application and Pre-Award Project Officer assigned to the county where the project is located, and the program guide also provides the general Office of Grants and Local Services email address, OGALS@parks.ca.gov.

Review the Competitive Chart and Application Guide before preparing the application; use available technical assistance and application workshops; submit at least 24 hours before the deadline to reduce technical or submission risk; complete all Project Selection Criteria responses by the deadline because placeholders and later revisions are not accepted for those responses; ensure requested grant amount and total project cost are consistent across financial forms; prioritize creation of new recreation opportunities because projects dominated by major support amenities are less competitive; complete Community FactFinder steps early enough to resolve discrepancies before the deadline.