Competitive Grant Programs
Funded by Measure A, RPOSD’s competitive grant programs are designed to invest in eligible programmatic or capital projects consistent with or similar to those identified in the Parks Need Assessment and bridge the equity gap.
As outlined in the Measure A Resolution under Section 5(b)(3) through Section5(b)(5), these programs are:
- Natural Lands, Local Beaches, Water Conservation and Protection
- Regional Recreation, Multi-Use Trails and Accessibility
- Youth & Veteran Job Training and Placement
- Recreation Access
- Acquisition-Only
Explore the rest of this page to learn more about each specific program!
Closed Competitive Grant Programs

Acquisition-Only
for acquisition-only projects that meet the goals of the Natural Lands, Local Beaches, Water Conservation and Protection Competitive Grant Program or the Regional Recreation, Multi-use Trails and Accessibility Competitive Grant Program. This program prioritizes urgent acquisitions in High or Very High Need Study Areas as well as trails connections and access, wildlife corridors, and critical habitat.
Fund Category | Frequency | Next Anticipated Cycles |
3 & 4 | Every 3 years | 2024, 2027 |
Guidelines Release Date |
July 8, 2024 |
Application Deadline |
10:00 AM on September 27, 2024 |
Anticipated Award Announcement |
December 2024 - January 2025 |
Total $14.5 Million
Out of which, a minimum of 30% are set aside to projects in High and Very High Need Study Areas.
Previous cycles’ guidelines for this competitive grant program will be listed here.
Application filing closed on September 27, 2024. Stay tuned for our awards announcements!

Workshop
RPOSD hosted an overview session for the 2024 Acquisition-Only Competitive Grant Program on Thursday, July 18th. The recording of the workshop and PowerPoint slides are available below. While attendance at this workshop was highly encouraged for all prospective applicants, it was not mandatory for application submission.

Questions?
RPOSD accepted questions regarding this Measure A competitive funding opportunity until August 9, 2024. Submissions were collected, answered, and compiled into this “Questions & Answer (Q&A)” document.
Resources that provide background or supporting information on the open competitive program, such as maps, reports, motions, and strategic plans, will be shared here.
Parks Needs Assessment:
List of Awardees in Past Cycles

Natural Lands, Local Beaches, Water Conservation and Protection
for projects that improve and protect open space, watersheds, and water resources through planning, acquisition, development, improvement, and restoration of multi-benefit parks.
Fund Category | Frequency | Next Anticipated Cycles |
3 | Every 3 years | 2025, 2028 |
Guidelines
Previous cycles’ guidelines for this competitive grant program will be listed here.
List of Awardees

Regional Recreation, Multi-use Trails and Accessibility
for acquisition, development, improvement, restoration, or rehabilitation projects that improve, connect, and protect regional recreational facilities, trails, and accessibility.
Fund Category | Frequency | Next Anticipated Cycles |
4 | Every 3 years | 2025, 2028 |
Guidelines
Previous cycles’ guidelines for this competitive grant program will be listed here.
List of Awardees

County Cultural Facilities
for projects that acquire, develop, improve, and/or restore a County Cultural Facility, defined as a building owned or operated by the County of Los Angeles which shall be used for the programming, production, presentation, or exhibition of natural history and any of the arts and cultural disciplines. These disciplines include music, dance, theatre, creative writing, literature, architecture, painting, sculpture, folk arts, photography, crafts, media arts, and visual arts.
Fund Category | Frequency | Next Anticipated Cycles |
4 | Every 3 years | 2026, 2029 |
Guidelines
Previous cycles’ guidelines for this competitive grant program will be listed here.
- N/A

Planning & Design
for planning and design efforts such as park master plans, feasibility studies, conceptual designs, design development drawings, construction documents, and other site studies required to effectively plan and design a park, trail, open space, or other recreation project.
Fund Category | Frequency | Next Anticipated Cycles |
3 & 4 | Every 3 years | 2025, 2028 |
Guidelines
Previous cycles’ guidelines for this competitive grant program will be listed here.
- N/A

Recreation Access
for programs that increase Los Angeles County residents’ accessibility to public lands, park facilities, and park amenities, including education, interpretive services, safety information, transportation, and other activities, especially for those in high and very high-need areas.
Fund Category | Frequency | Next Anticipated Cycles |
3 & 4 | Every 3 years | 2026, 2029 |
Guidelines
Previous cycles’ guidelines for this competitive grant program will be listed here.
List of Awardees

Youth and Veteran Job Training and Placement
for programs that provide education and skills training (career development) or certification and job placement in the field of parks and recreation to youth and veterans.
Fund Category | Frequency | Next Anticipated Cycles |
5 | Every 3 years | 2026, 2029 |
Guidelines
Previous cycles’ guidelines for this competitive grant program will be listed here.
List of Awardees
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TODAY
Complete this form to join our mailing list and stay posted about upcoming workshops, application dates, etc.