Alabama is directing more than $6.1 million in federal outdoor-recreation grants to seven municipalities, advancing park, trail and sports-facility projects backed by at least $7 million in disclosed local commitments.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs announced the awards Friday through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Athens, Boaz, Gadsden, Priceville, Troy and Trussville will each receive grants ranging from about $823,000 to $1 million, while Cleveland will receive $300,000.
The projects cover a broad mix of community infrastructure. Athens plans a 16-court pickleball complex, trail improvements and drainage work at Swan Creek Park. Boaz will renovate a tower at its sports complex and build an accessible restroom. Cleveland will replace a ball field and add lighting, fencing and support facilities. Gadsden plans a splash pad, pavilion, restrooms, lighting, security cameras and an emergency call station at Joseph T. Robinson Park.
Priceville’s $1 million award is different from the construction grants: the fast-growing Morgan County city plans to acquire 36.9 acres on Bethel Road for a future park with walking trails, benches and fishing. Troy proposes a multipurpose field, basketball court, trail, splash pad, playground and other facilities at Knox Street Park.
Trussville will use its $1 million grant to replace equipment at Masonic Park Playground, add a picnic shelter and create an exercise area for older residents near the city’s senior center. The Trussville Tribune reported that the city will provide a $1 million match and that the playground, first built with Land and Water Conservation Fund assistance in 2006, serves people beyond the city limits.
The grant structure matters because the federal program generally relies on state and local participation. The National Park Service describes the state-side fund as a matching-grant program for locally led projects, with states administering awards to communities. Alabama’s announced local shares total slightly more than $7 million, based on the figures disclosed for the seven projects, bringing the planned combined investment above $13 million.
In June, the Interior Department announced $327 million in 2026 formula grants and $134 million in competitive grants nationwide, including a $4.88 million formula apportionment for Alabama. ADECA did not specify in Friday’s announcement which federal fiscal-year balances support each local award, and the agency did not provide construction schedules.
That leaves timing and final design decisions with the municipalities as grant agreements and local procurement move forward. The awards establish funding commitments; they do not mean the facilities are already under construction or open.
