Parks and recreational areas are valuable assets to many communities. They serve as gathering places, promote physical and mental health and improve overall quality of life. These spaces support public health by encouraging exercise and active lifestyles, boost local economies by attracting visitors and tourists, and foster a stronger sense of community.

Access to well-maintained outdoor spaces is especially important in rural communities throughout the Midwest. In many small towns, parks and trails are among the few public amenities available for recreation and connection. However, developing, upgrading and maintaining these spaces can be expensive. Limited budgets, staffing constraints and competitive grant funding can make it difficult for rural communities to move forward without external assistance and funding.

This blog post highlights recreation grants for rural communities and explains how partnering with an expert like Fehr Graham can help your community secure them. 

The importance of parks, outdoor recreation in rural communities

Parks and outdoor recreational areas serve as community hubs that add aesthetic value and provide year-round opportunities to connect, exercise and enjoy nature. They also play an important role in promoting and attracting tourism. Maintaining these spaces can lead to long-term community engagement, economic growth and public health advantages.

Planning and developing green spaces is essential for small towns aiming to attract visitors to natural attractions, festivals and recreational activities. Despite the clear benefits, many rural communities face challenges in securing funding needed to improve or expand their parks and trails. Limited staff, lack of grant-writing expertise and high competition for funding can all create barriers to progress.

Recreation grants for rural communities in Illinois and Iowa

For community leaders working to build trails, upgrade parks or expand access to green spaces, several recreation grants are available in Illinois. The following programs provide viable funding pathways.

Recreation grants for rural communities
Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant	Provides funding to local governments in Illinois for acquiring and developing land for public outdoor recreation. Eligible projects include park construction, land acquisition, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible improvements, picnic areas and playgrounds
Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program	Offers financial assistance to local government agencies for acquiring, developing and maintaining bicycle paths in Illinois. Projects may include trail construction, bike bridges, safety features and trail signage.
Community Attraction and Tourism Grant	Supports recreational, cultural and entertainment facility improvements in Iowa. Local governments and nonprofits can apply to enhance community centers, parks, trails and other public-use spaces that attract residents and tourists.
Recreational Trails Program	A federal grant program available to local and state governments and nonprofits. RTP supports the development and maintenance of recreational trails and amenities such as trailheads, signage, benches and restrooms.

How Fehr Graham helps rural communities secure recreation grants​

Fehr Graham has experience securing and managing recreation grants for rural communities. We regularly partner with community leaders to bring outdoor recreation projects to life. Our experts simplify the grant process, help identify the best-fit programs, prepare applications and guide project development after funding is awarded.

Whether you're looking to build bike paths, upgrade parks, develop trail systems or create community green spaces, we have the experience and resources for community leaders in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. We can help you improve recreational infrastructure and secure funding that would otherwise be out of reach.

Our services include:

• Project planning and design.
  
• Site analysis and environmental permitting.
  
• Grant writing and documentation.
  
• Engineering and construction oversight.
  
• Long-term compliance and reporting.

We're proud of our work across the Midwest. Check out our recent recreational projects here.

Partner with Fehr Graham

At Fehr Graham, we are committed to helping Midwestern communities improve access to parks and outdoor recreational areas. We can help you secure the funding you need to build and maintain these vital spaces. Our team of licensed engineers and grant specialists works year-round to design, build and oversee projects that can benefit residents now and in the future.

Fehr Graham Senior Community Development Specialist Bridgette Stocks serves as the principal contact for all funding-related programs, navigating complicated rules and regulations to secure maximum dollars. She is a vital partner when it comes to strengthening communities to provide resilient and critical infrastructure. Her success speaks for itself – she has secured more than $200 million for Fehr Graham clients. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..