NPS Urban Projects

Land and Water Conservation Fund–State Assistance Program

Providing grant funding to states and to their local units of government to help plan, acquire and develop high-quality outdoor recreation resources, and protect these areas in perpetuity. This program provides resources for all Americans.

Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program

Provides grants along with technical assistance to economically distressed urban communities to revitalize and improve recreation opportunities for people of all ages.

Connect Trails to Parks Program

Brings the parks and programs of NPS together by linking national trails with national park units throughout the country. Funding has supported a variety of projects—restoring and improving existing trails and along with many more.

Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program

Builds partnerships and provides guidance to communities to help them realize their visions for local conservation and outdoor recreation projects. By bringing the park service mission to the people, RTCA program works in urban areas to restore and improve access to rivers, create urban parks and trail systems, and help local community organizations plan and implement their own conservation and recreation goals.

National Wild and Scenic Rivers Program

Partners with state and local governments and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects rivers in urban and developed areas. They also created the Junior River Rangers, and there overall goal is to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, and encouraging environmental education and watershed awareness.

Groundwork USA

Focuses on stabilizing and revitalizing their communities through projects and programs that improve their environment, economy and quality of life. Projects include improved access to parks and recreation areas by transforming derelict and contaminated lands into community assets.

Federal Lands to Parks Program

Increases public parks and recreation opportunities by transferring surplus federal land and facilities to state and local governments. The program protects these properties for public recreation in perpetuity and promotes stewardship of their associated natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program

Has helped the rehabilitation of 50 buildings and generated more than one billion dollars in historic rehabilitation in Chicago in the last 10 years alone. Projects have ranged from taking abandoned buildings and creating Charter Schools, senior housing complex, also including the transformation of buildings downtown.

National Register of Historic Places

Is part of a national program to support identifying, evaluating, and protecting America's historic and archeological properties. The National Register has created opportunities for millions of Americans to be recognized for their efforts to preserve America's shared heritage.

National Historic Landmarks Program

Prepares and processes nominations for National Historic Landmark designation and provides technical assistance to National Historic Landmark property owners. The program encourages citizens, public agencies, and private organizations to recognize, use, and learn from historic places to enhance livable and viable communities for the future.

National Recreation Trails Program

Nationally recognizes local and regional trails in or easily accessible to urban areas, acknowledging local and state efforts to build and maintain valuable trails and trail systems. Many of these trails connect urban areas with federal lands, enhancing the experiences and quality of life of urban communities who otherwise might not visit national parks, forests, or recreation areas.

National Water Trails System Program

Connects Americans to and strengthens support for local waterways among federal, state, local, and non-profit organizations. By bringing together the nation's water trails with the most local and regional significance into one cohesive network.

Healthy Parks, Healthy People Initiative

Is a holistic approach to promoting the health and well-being of people along with the sustainability of the planet. The program works to advance the role of parks and public lands as places for people to derive physical mental and spiritual health, and social well-being. The initiative focuses on providing everyone with equal access to natural spaces, particularly connecting with underserved urban communities.

Let's Move Outside Initiative

Is recognizing the critical role of public lands and waters in the fight against childhood obesity. This program provides information and opportunities for families to get active in nature—from neighborhood parks and open spaces, to national seashores, parks, and forests.

Center for Urban Ecology

Provides scientific guidance, technical assistance and education for the preservation, conservation and enhancement of park resources within urbanizing landscapes. CUE staff focuses on urban ecology within the matrix of the region's nationally significant natural and cultural resources.