National Park Trust’s ‘Kids to Parks Day’ 2026 School Grants Announced

March 3, 2026

Annual Grants Provide Critical Funds for Park Visits to Title I Schools in 31 States

Washington, DC (March 3, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – National Park Trust is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program, supporting under-resourced schools as they connect students with parks, public lands, and waterways nationwide. The grants celebrate National Kids to Parks Day, an annual day of outdoor play founded by the National Park Trust and held every third Saturday in May at public lands and waters across the United States.

Officials report 118 grants were awarded to 99 schools to support student park experiences. In several cases, multiple classrooms or grade levels within a single school received funding. In total, the Park Trust awarded $121,000 in funding. These grants will benefit more than 6,500 students in grades pre-K through 12 across 31 states, Washington, DC, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program emphasizes student leadership and collaboration between students and teachers. Grant applications are grounded in the three pillars of the Park Trust’s Youth and Family Programs: 1) education, using parks as outdoor classrooms; 2) health and wellness, experiencing the benefits of hands-on outdoor recreation; and 3) stewardship, completing projects that directly support parks and the environment.

“We are pleased to empower students across the country to celebrate National Kids to Parks Day by providing the important resources needed to visit, enjoy, and steward our public lands and waters,” said Grace Lee, National Park Trust Executive Director. “We are very grateful for our donors whose generosity allows us to make a meaningful difference by connecting thousands of students to the wonders of our parks.”

Highlights of this year’s grant proposals:

• 93 public land sites will be visited, including national, state, and local parks and historic sites.
• 69 elementary school classrooms, 19 middle school classrooms, and 30 high school classrooms were awarded grants.
• Trips will range from Coyote Creek State Park (NM) to El Yunque National Forest (PR) to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC/TN).

For the complete list of 2026 Kids to Parks Day School Grants recipients, visit https://parktrust.org/2026-kids-to-parks-day-school-grants-program-grantees/.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, expanding 57 national park sites across the country. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison, College Ambassador, and Military Family Programs, as well as National Kids to Parks Day, serve tens of thousands of children annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org.