Accessible Parks Grant

The Accessible Parks Grant Program provides $12.5 million in matching grants for parks and recreation to benefit people living with disabilities in North Carolina. Local governments, including public authorities, are eligible to apply. This program is administered through the Division of Parks and Recreation and the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.

The matching grants can be used for:

  • the construction of special facilities, or
  • adaptation of existing facilities that meet the unique needs of persons living with disabilities or enable them to participate in recreational and sporting activities, regardless of their abilities.

Applicants can request a maximum of $500,000 with each application and must match the grant with at least $1 of local funds for every $5 in grant funds.

The application process for a second round of funding is now underway.

Application Information

Tab/Accordion Items

Eligible Applicants

North Carolina counties and incorporated municipalities are eligible to apply. Public authorities, as defined by North Carolina General Statute 159-7, are also eligible if they are authorized to develop recreational facilities for the general public.

Eligible Projects

  • Development projects that meet the unique needs of persons living with disabilities or that enable them to participate in recreational and sporting activities.
    • Construction of special facilities
    • Adaptation of existing facilities
  • Land acquisition is not eligible.
  • Applicants may apply for an active PARTF site but must request funding for different facilities.
  • A facility previously funded with PARTF assistance and still under the 25-year restriction may be eligible to receive AP funds if:
    • Said facility was funded with PARTF assistance prior to the 2012 funding cycle.
    • The proposed update / renovation will create a facility that maximizes accessibility.

Matching Requirement

An applicant must match the grant with $1 of local funds for every $5 of grant funds. The value of in-kind services, such as volunteer work, cannot be used as part of the match. 

Applicant Must Have Control of the Park Site 

An applicant must own or have at least a 25-year signed lease or easement for the property where a project will be located. 

Public Use 

Facilities built or renovated with an Accessible Parks grant must be available for public recreational use for at least 25 years.

Round 2

Notification of Funding – Round 2Sept. 3, 2024
Round 2 Application Review DeadlineJan. 20, 2025
Round 2 Application DeadlineMarch 3, 2025
Round 2 Awards SelectedJune 2025
Project PeriodSept. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2028
Reporting Deadlines 
6-Month InspectionFeb. 1, 2026
1-Year InspectionAug. 31, 2026
2-Year InspectionAug. 31, 2027
Closeout InspectionAug. 31, 2028
Self-Certifying InspectionEvery 5 years post-closeout

 

Round 1

Notification of Funding – Round 1Jan. 2, 2024
DPR and RRS Q&A WebinarFeb. 8, 2024
Round 1 Application Review DeadlineMarch 15, 2024
Round 1 Application DeadlineMay 1, 2024
Round 1 Awards SelectedAug. 23, 2024
Project PeriodNov. 1, 2024 to Oct. 31, 2027
Reporting Deadlines 
6-Month InspectionMay 1, 2025
1-Year InspectionOct. 31, 2025
2-Year InspectionOct. 31, 2026
Closeout InspectionOct. 31, 2027
Self-Certifying InspectionEvery 5 years post-closeout

Would you like help with your grant application? The division provides technical assistance to local governments through a contract with Recreation Resources Service:

RRS regional consultants

Maximum Grant Amount

Applicants can request a maximum grant of $500,000 with each application.

Matching Requirement

An applicant must match the grant with $1 of local funds for every $5 of grant funds. The value of in-kind services, such as volunteer work, cannot be used as part of the match.

Costs to Build or Renovate Facilities

You will be submitting specific cost estimates as part of the grant application. Get estimates from contractors, architects, or planners who develop parks and recreation facilities. Consider the impact of inflation by assuming that the project may be completed over a 3-year period after the grantee signs a contract with the state.

The Parks and Recreation Authority, a nine-member board appointed by the Governor and the General Assembly, selects which applicants will receive funding. The factors considered by the Authority as it selects grant recipients include, but are not limited to:

  • the applicant's project description / justification page
  • the application's ranking based on the scoring system
  • the geographic distribution of funds
  • the population of the applicant
  • the grant funds that the applicant is requesting
  • the grant funds available; and
  • the administration of previous grants.

Accessible Parks Grant Overview