The National Park Service requires the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to complete a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan every five years to remain eligible for funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program. Since the program was established in 1965, nearly $100,000,000 has been awarded to every county in the state for the acquisition of conservation or park land, development of new parks, or renovation of existing parks.
Three surveys are available – one for land trusts, one for municipal employees, and one for any and all users of open space in Massachusetts. It should take about 15 minutes to complete each survey. It is critical for us to hear back from as many people as possible regarding conservation and recreation use and demand at your properties to guide how future LWCF funding could be spent most effectively in Massachusetts.