Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP)

Grants to California nonprofit organizations and government entities for projects that revitalize neighborhoods. Funding is intended to provide critically underserved communities across the state with new recreation opportunities. The primary focus of each project must include development or both development and acquisition to create new parks, expand existing parks, or improve existing parks.

Parks are unique places where children can play, families and friends bond, people exercise, seniors socialize, youth are mentored, cultures are celebrated, and everyone connects with nature. For these reasons and more, vibrant parks funded by this program will create humane and healthier communities. Building successful parks in underserved communities is “a work of art.” SPP embraces meaningful engagement with local residents where park designs represent each community’s unique recreation needs and creativity. 

All projects must create or renovate at least one recreation feature. Examples of recreation features include but are not limited to the following:

Recreation Features

• Acquisition of land:
• Combined with development of a new recreation feature.
  OR
• Already has a recreation feature for public use at close of escrow.
• Aquatic center, swimming pool, splash pad, fishing pier or paddling launch site
• Amphitheater/performing arts dance, music, and theater stage
• Athletic fields (soccer regulation or “futbol-rapido”, baseball, softball, football, etc.)
• Athletic courts (basketball, “futsal”, tennis, pickleball, etc.)
• Community gardens, botanical or demonstration gardens, and orchards
• Community/Recreation center (only if it will be in or adjacent to a park)
• Dog park
• Jogging and walking loop, par course, running track
• Non-motorized trail, pedestrian/bicycle bridge, greenbelt/linear park
• Outdoor gym exercise equipment (stations fixed into ground)
• Open space and natural area for public recreation use
• Picnic/Bar-B-Que areas
• Playground and tot lot
• Plaza, Zocalo, Gazebo
• Public art (mosaic tiles, sculptures, murals)
• Skate park, skating rink, and BMX or pump track (non-motorized bike tracks)
• Lighting to allow for extended night time use of a recreation feature
• Shade structure/covered park areas over a recreation feature to allow for extended day time use

Major Support Amenities

A project may also include major support amenities such as:

• Restroom building, snack shack
• Parking lot, staging area, pathway for access to a recreation feature
• Landscaping or lighting that will be constructed throughout the park

Applications where the majority of the total project cost is for a major support amenity will be less competitive. Projects should create a new recreation opportunity(s) as the primary goal.

Parks designed with community residents' ideas through community-based planning and partnerships with health organizations are encouraged.

For information on community-based planning, see here:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/1008/files/Final_Prop._68_SPP_Application_Guide_1.22.2019%20-%20Rev.%203-%20changes%20made%20Ready%20to%20Check%20.pdf#page=61

For information on eligible costs, see here:

https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/1008/files/Final_Prop._68_SPP_Application_Guide_1.22.2019%20-%20Rev.%203-%20changes%20made%20Ready%20to%20Check%20.pdf#page=55

Applicants who receive a grant award will attend a mandatory grant administration workshop.

Projects that will meet multiple needs of youth, seniors, and families will be more competitive than ones that provide a single use for a more limited group.