ST. LOUIS|In addition to the 417 National Park Service units, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial being one of those, the National Park Service is also proud to support communities across the country through 54 community assistance programs. Recently, the Directory of NPS Community Assistance Programs was released.

Community assistance programs of the National Park Service empower local organizations to advance historic preservation and conservation work in rural and urban communities across the United States. These programs serve as economic drivers, transforming underutilized places into community assets that enhance quality of life and boost local economies through tourism and job creation.

Through a partnership with the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, a $450,000 grant was recently awarded from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) to build a 1.2-acre soccer field in the City of Wellston, Missouri.

“We’re excited about our continued collaboration with the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, the City of Wellston and other partners on the addition of a 1.2-acre soccer field,” says Mike Ward, Superintendent, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. “The soccer field will allow children in the area to have a safe place to play outdoors in an area that is underserved by parks and open space, and it will provide an opportunity for the community to come together to be involved in an organized support where none currently exists.”

This is just one example of the kind of community support that is available. You can learn about the programs highlighted in the Directory of NPS Community Assistance Programs.  The programs outlined provide funding, technical assistance, and other resources to community groups for historic preservation, investment in historic sites, recreation and improved access to public lands, and education and professional development in and outside national parks.

Please take some time to check out the community assistance program website. For more information please contact Tara Rath, National Park Service Urban Fellow for St. Louis at 314-265-1766 or tara_rath@partner.nps.gov.