10-Minute Walk Local Policy Framework
Dedicated Public Funding
Securing Resources for All
Dedicated public funding—through bonds, taxes, or other reliable sources—creates long-term investment in parks. These funds support everything from capital projects and acquisitions to staffing and ongoing maintenance to ensure that parks remain accessible, safe, and high-quality for every neighborhood. This stable funding builds momentum for ambitious park projects that strengthen community well-being and drive inclusive economic growth; and when shaped by equity principles, these policies can channel resources to areas with the greatest need, rather than relying on ad-hoc budgets to fill the gaps.
What’s more, strong public commitment can attract private investors who amplify these efforts and create economic benefits that extend well beyond the parks themselves. When the public and private sectors unite to invest in parks green spaces, they spur local enterprise, expand opportunities, and improve community well-being.
REPORT
Fundamentals of Funding for Local Parks and Greenspace
Parks play an essential role in helping communities thrive. When people have access to a high-quality park close-to-home, they experience improved mental health, physical health, and social well-being. But, parks departments across the country face financial challenges that make it difficult to ensure that everyone has access to a high-quality park. This report shares common funding mechanisms available for city parks.
TOOLKIT
Amplifying Investment in Parks
Across the U.S., private sector partnerships are helping to transform parks into key drivers of social and economic growth, benefiting both local communities and the cities they call home. By investing in parks, companies can strengthen their neighborhoods, improve the well-being of their employees, and enhance the overall quality of life. These contributions complement public funding, acting as a local match for state and federal grants and amplify the impact of public dollars. This toolkit highlights five funding strategies that enable the private sector to maximize its support for public parks.
Public Funding Resources
The LandVote database tracks state and local government measures that support land conservation, bringing together a comprehensive history of conservation finance measures on ballots across the country.
Trust for Public Land’s Conservation Finance team helps state and local governments design, pass, and implement legislation and ballot measure that create new public funds for parks, land conservation and protecting communities from climate change.