Recreation and Conservation Office outlines grant programs, demand and accessibility efforts

Megan Duffy, director of the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and Brock Miller, RCO policy and legislative director, briefed the committee on the agency's competitive grant programs, project tracking system (PRISM) and outreach efforts to increase equitable access to funding.

Duffy said RCO administers about 29 grant programs (with subgrants totaling roughly 59 opportunities) and has funded more than 12,470 projects since inception. She described eligibility rules, match requirements and the advisory committee scoring process that produces ranked project lists for the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board.

Miller reviewed major accounts and programs including the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) split into outdoor recreation, habitat conservation and farm & forest accounts; the Youth Athletic Facilities Program with a small‑community category; the Community Forest Program; Aquatic Lands Enhancement; non‑highway and off‑road vehicle programs; and boating programs. He noted federal funding streams RCO administers, including the Recreational Trails Program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Boating Infrastructure Grant.

Committee members asked which programs show fastest growth and how ADA and statewide distribution are addressed. RCO said local parks and youth athletic facilities show high demand; RCO confirmed ADA compliance is required for all grants and described a technical assistance program and community engagement plan to reach underrepresented applicants. RCO noted grant applicant webinars had hundreds of registrations in the current cycle, indicating strong interest.