Community Parks Revitalization Act

This bill would help communities fix, build, and better use parks. The Department of Housing and Urban Development would run a national program that gives competitive grants to local governments to rebuild parks and playgrounds, add lighting and safety features, and support new or expanded recreation programs for youth and for veterans and military families. It also funds local planning for park systems. Communities in metro areas can apply, and some non‑metro places can be included.

Projects that serve crowded neighborhoods with few park options, are near schools or public housing, add trees and green space, improve trails, and make sites accessible for people with disabilities would get priority. The program also looks for public input, local support, and job opportunities for nearby residents. Grants require a local match, with waivers for rural or economically hard‑hit places, and can be passed to nonprofits if the facilities are open to the whole community. Cities must keep a 5‑year parks plan, maintain facilities, and report each year on projects and jobs; land paid for with these funds must stay for public recreation unless an approved replacement is provided .

The bill also sets up federal loans and loan guarantees for park and trail projects that can repay over time. Loans can cover planning, building, and land, and the federal share of project costs is capped at 80%. The loan program would receive $50 million a year from 2026 through 2030 .

• Who is affected: Local governments; people in urban neighborhoods with fewer parks; veterans and military families; youth at risk; people with disabilities; and some non‑metro and insular areas, as the bill prioritizes underserved residents and allows some non‑metro eligibility and dedicated support for insular areas .
• What changes: New competitive grants for repairing and building parks, safety improvements, and innovative programs; planning grants; local matching rules with possible waivers; the option to subgrant to nonprofits; strong protections to keep funded land for public use; plus a new federal loan and loan‑guarantee option for park and trail projects .
• When: Grant funding is authorized for fiscal years 2026–2035; the loan program is funded for 2026–2030; federal rules must be issued within 180 days of enactment; and Congress receives progress reports at 5 and 10 years .