Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Millions of dollars in state money is going to parks across the state, including right here in East Tennessee.

The state’s Office of Outdoor Recreation says they’re giving away over $21 million dollars in grants to parks in Tennessee, all through a program (Local Parks and Recreation Fund), that helps buy land for parks and improve greenways and recreational facilities.

“The LPRF program is a critical resource that the Office of Outdoor Recreation manages to help expand access to recreational opportunities in our local communities,” said Brian Clifford, director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation. “These grants directly contribute to improving the quality of life, health, and economy in our cities and counties.”

The grants were awarded to 27 communities across the state, including the following in East Tennessee:

• Bean Station in Grainger County – Awarded $125,000 for upgrades to the existing playground area, parking and two ballfields at City Park.
• Blaine in Grainer County – Awarded $75,000 for milling/resurfacing of the parking lot, striping and accessible parking, signage, park benches and fence toppers for the ballfield at City Park.
• Dandridge in Jefferson County – Awarded $500,000 for playground, restroom building, access paths, a shade structure, accessible parking and pickleball courts at Field of Dreams Playground.
• Harriman in Roane County – Awarded $300,000 for improvements at the Community Center that will include new flooring for the gymnasium, an HVAC system and parking lot paving. Improvements at Riverfront Park will include Phase I of the installation of new trail lighting.
• Norris in Anderson County – Awarded $375,000 for the redevelopment of tennis courts into a new complex to including a tennis court, pickle ball courts, and a new outdoor basketball court, upgrades to the existing restroom, parking, and accessible pathways at Memorial Park.
• Oliver Springs in Roane County – Awarded $29,000 for accessible pathways to the ballfields, concrete pads for the bleachers and accessible seating areas, and LED security light replacements at Arrowhead Park.
• Rocky Top in Anderson County – Awarded $566,000 for an upgrade of the existing restroom facility, replacement of bleacher structure with a press box on top and accessibility features at Community Center Park.

“Communities across the state need resources to provide Tennesseans with excellent recreational opportunities, and these grants support those projects,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Conservation at TDEC. “The grants and local teamwork our Tennessee legislators established in this funding program will continue to support many exciting new features at the local level.”

Click here for more information about the LPRF program and for guidance on how to apply.