Parks & Public Space Initiative
Lillian Timber Farms, Oklahoma City
Parks & Public Space Initiative/Margaret Annis Boys Trust
The Parks & Public Space Initiative invests in the future of Oklahoma City by enhancing and activating the parks, trails, school grounds and community spaces that connect us all. Building on the legacy of the Margaret Annis Boys Trust, established in 1991 to beautify and improve our city’s public landscapes, this OCCF initiative goes beyond the original concept to create vibrant, welcoming spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Grant Information
Priorities
Projects funded must support one or more of the following priorities:
- Increase utilization of parks, trails and other spaces
- Engage community members in improving parks and public spaces
- Increase community stewardship of parks and public spaces
Awards are made up to $40,000.
Grant Guidelines
Download the Grant Guidelines for full details on this grant.
All projects proposed must align with the published Grant Guidelines. Eligibility requirements and application process instructions are also included in the Grant Guidelines.
Important Dates
- Nov. 4, 2025 – Grant Application Opens
- Nov. 12, 2025 – Grant Information Meeting (Optional)
▹ Register to attend - Dec. 11, 2025 – Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline
- Dec. 18, 2025 – Grant Application Deadline
- Late February 2026 – Decision Notification
All deadlines are firm. No exceptions.
Grant Portal
Applications are submitted online via the Grant Portal.
- Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the online Grant Portal.
▹Application instructions are available in the Grant Guidelines. - If the LOI is approved, submit a full application through the Grant Portal.
FAQs
Is a match required?
Yes, a match is required and may be volunteer labor or any donated plant material or amenity. We do not have a match percentage requirement. All we ask is to show that you have volunteers involved in the project or list the donated material.
Does our group need to maintain the project?
Yes, this is mandatory. We require a three-year maintenance commitment for the trees and plants so they can become established. Perennial or pollinator gardens are expected to be maintained longer than three years. Maintenance includes watering, trimming, weeding, mulching and removing the stakes from trees after the first year.
What type of organizations can apply for the Parks/MAB grant?
Neighborhood/community groups in the Oklahoma City metro area, 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups, local government agencies and city-connected agencies are eligible to apply.
Can we submit a project within the right-of-way or a street frontage for our neighborhood?
Yes, street frontage projects will need approval from the municipality, generally from the Public Works Department. These projects have a lower priority for funding.
Will our group need to submit a site plan/landscape plan for the proposed landscaping?
Yes, a site plan/landscape plan is one of the requirements, which will indicate what landscape improvements are being requested on the site. OCCF staff will assist with the development of the site plan if needed. Please reach out to staff for assistance.
Are there any reporting requirements?
Yes, a mid-term check-in is required. This is generally a site visit to discuss the progress and any issues that might have occurred. A final report is also required to be submitted on the portal after the project is complete.
Will the Letter of Intent and the Application both be online submittals?
Yes, you will log in to our website and use the link and access code from the Grant Guidelines sheet to submit the Letter of Intent and the Application.
Recent Grants
Classen School of Advanced Studies High School at Northeast Campus – $40,000 for new landscaping for the entrance and common areas at the front of the school.
Historical Preservation Inc. – $18,000 to plant trees along sidewalks and in public parks in the Heritage Hills neighborhood.
Homeless Alliance Inc. – $27,500 to create a new landscape on the WestTown Homeless Alliance campus at the corner of NW 4th Street and Virginia Avenue.
John’s Lutheran School – $20,000 to install new pollinator gardens and landscaping, which will be used as a living outdoor classroom.
Kings Gate Christian School – $12,980 to enhance the existing pollinator garden and vernal pond habitat with plants and signage, creating an active learning environment.
Linwood Place Neighborhood Association – $2,605 to landscape the neighborhood gateway sign located on 19th Street at Drexel Boulevard.
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center – $10,000 for tree planting within Campbell Art Park and the Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center Grounds.
Trinity School – $25,000 to install a new native plant garden, irrigation and some hardscape on the school grounds.
Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park – $20,000 for a tree planting project in the Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park.
United Artspace Inc. – $7,500 to create a student-led community garden for gardening, public art and mentorship where students will design, plant and maintain the garden.
William Fremont Harn Gardens Inc. – $5,000 to create pollinator gardens and plant crape myrtles.
City of El Reno – $25,477 to plant trees along the Sunset Trail at Lake El Reno and install landscaping, new seating and shade structures along the trail.
Cleveland Neighborhood Association – $5,650 to install new landscaping around the neighborhood gazebo, plant new trees, create a pollinator garden and install stone benches along Venice Boulevard.
Fields and Futures – $14,364 to install new trees for shade around the new athletic facilities at John Marshall Middle School.
Integris Health Foundation – $20,000 to revitalize the Jim Thorpe Garden, a therapeutic outdoor garden space, with new landscaping, trees and a raised garden.
Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association – $30,000 to install trees, pollinator gardens, new turf, and irrigation at Sparrow Park to reduce the amount of maintenance required by the Oklahoma City Parks Department.
Metro Park Neighborhood Association – $30,000 to revitalize Linwood Boulevard with native plants, small trees and a new irrigation system.
Nichols Hills Parks Inc. – $12,000 to enhance Evangeline Park with new trees, landscaping, irrigation and pathways.
Putnam Heights Preservation Area – $15,500 to install trees, shrubs, perennials and seasonal color in the neighborhood common areas and provide irrigation for the new plants.
RestoreOKC – $32,500 to create a new Kitchen Garden and Rain Garden, as well as plant trees and pollinator gardens on the grounds of RestoreOKC and in Harden Park.
The Greater Oklahoma City Parks and Trails Foundation – $5,000 to install trees, landscaping and a sign at the new Trosper Park Trailhead.
The Greens Neighborhood Association – $10,000 to install new trees and landscaping at three of the neighborhood entrances along NW 122nd Street.
Asian District Cultural Association – $2,250 to plant more trees in the park and update the existing landscape beds.
Automobile Alley Inc. – $20,000 to plant new trees and add landscaping along the Automobile Alley commercial business district.
Bethany First Church of the Nazarene – $11,930 to build a pollinator garden and enhance a public area with new landscaping.
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine – $14,494 to create a rose garden to enhance the visitor’s experience.
City of Choctaw – $7,000 to create entry gateway landscape projects within the street right-of-way.
Culbertson East Highland NA – $17,000 to install landscape beds and trees within the Lottie Avenue median.
Friends of Martin Park Nature Center– $20,000 to create sustainable gardens at the entrance of the nature center and within the parking area.
Historical Preservation Inc. – $8,373 to plant trees within public spaces in the Heritage Hills neighborhood.
Hope Crossing Association Inc. – $10,000 to plant trees in the neighborhood park and upgrade the irrigation system.
OKC Strikers Cricket Club – $10,000 to plant 20 trees at the Cricket field at Route 66 Park for shade and protection from the wind.
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum – $23,300 to enhance the memorial property with additional native plants and trees.
Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center – $5,000 to install new landscaping materials at the base of the art center building.
Oklahoma Zoological Society Inc. – $15,000 to install educational signage, a shade structure, and pollinator gardens at Oklahoma City’s Zoo Lake.
Russellville Neighborhood Association – $6,000 to plant trees along the street frontage.
The Greens Neighborhood Association – $6,000 to install new landscaping and trees along the two main neighborhood entrances and the boulevard.
Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park – $15,000 to plant trees within the Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park.
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine – $13,600 to plant 34 trees to beautify the entrance to the church grounds.
City of Midwest City – $35,600 to plant 18 trees along park trails in five different city parks and install 10 park benches near the new trees.
Metro Technology Centers – $16,060 to plant shade trees adjacent to new walking trails.
Mount St. Mary Catholic High School – $8,800 to plant 10 trees and install irrigation along the perimeter of the school grounds.
Nichols Hills Enterprise Elementary PTA – $32,750 for irrigation and landscaping upgrades for the school along Wilshire Boulevard.
Nichols Hills Parks Inc. – $16,560 to replace dead or damaged trees and landscaping for the central bed in Kite Parks.
Nova Community Homeowners Association – $20,521 to landscape the West Hefner Road neighborhood frontage with new shrubs and small trees.
OKC Beautiful – $10,000 to plant 50 trees on the campuses of Oklahoma City Schools, along with providing educational material on the importance of trees.
Western Avenue Association – $18,440 to install new irrigation, shrubs and trees within the street medians along Western Avenue at I-44.
