Neighborhood Participation Program

The application period for the 2026 Neighborhood Participation Program will open on March 1, 2026. See below for more information.

Thank you to everyone who applied for last year's Neighborhood Participation Program!
City Council approved the recommended projects on December 8, 2025.  Learn more about the projects: Lakewood Speaks - Item 4A - Neighborhood Participation Program.

Program Details

Lakewood's Neighborhood Participation Program (NPP) offers grants of up to $60,000 for qualifying physical improvement projects that residents believe will make a difference in their neighborhood.

Examples of projects eligible for the Neighborhood Participation Program include:

  • Small park amenities such as benches, fixed game features, small shade amenities, pet waste stations, trail and park wayfinding signage, solar-powered amenities, such as table or benches with charging stations or lighting, etc.
  • Public art installations, especially those that are functional serving multiple purposes, such as artistic bike racks or solar-powered light sculptures along trails.
  • Sustainability efforts such as bicycle repair stations, bike racks, interpretive signage, tree planting, etc.

Project Criteria

  • Organizers are Lakewood residents who live near the project area and are representing the neighborhood.
  • The project is located on publicly owned property.
  • The project provides a benefit to the neighborhood.
  • The funding request does not exceed $60,000. Final project cost will be reviewed and confirmed by staff.
  • The project is supported by the neighborhood’s residents and their signatures have been collected. This must include adjacent property owners.
  • A project is only eligible if it is not already included on the City's capital improvement plan for the next five years and will not otherwise receive funding from another City program (e.g., playground/shelter replacement, sidewalk repair, speed humps, street paving or repair, traffic signals, streetlights, etc.).

Prior to initiating the grant application, the applicant’s project must be vetted by the appropriate department staff and approved by the department director. See below for the application process.

Application Process

  1. Brainstorm project ideas with neighbors, keeping in mind the project criteria.
  2. Starting March 1, 2026, submit a preapplication form (that will be available on the NPP website) with the general details of the proposed project. This is a required step that must be completed by May 1, 2026.
  3. Project proposal will be vetted by the appropriate department staff to ensure that it meets the project criteria.
  4. If approved by the department director, the organizers will receive a link to the final application and may begin working on their submittal.
  5. Final application must be submitted by July 1, 2026, at 5:00 pm.

Additional Information

When submitting the final grant application, the applicant must include demonstrated support for the project through letters, or other means, and signatures of support from property owners directly adjacent to the project. Park site projects need support from neighboring residences. Projects proposals located on public school property must also include letters of support and commitment from the school principal and the school district facilities office. If the project is over $60,000, the support letter must also state that the remaining funding is secured by the school district and assign a project manager from the district to oversee the project and work with the applicant. Projects on school property will be completed by the school district. Projects that are anticipated to go beyond the City’s existing grant dollars will not be approved unless the additional funding is already available to the applicant. For the full list of the program requirements, please see the application form.

Projects compete directly with all other applications received based on six selection categories.

  1. Neighborhood contribution: Is the neighborhood planning to contribute to the project? This is not required, but it is encouraged and applications that indicate neighborhood contribution through funding, labor, or maintenance may score higher.
  2. Benefit: How does the project benefit the neighborhood?
  3. Health and safety: How does the project improve the health and safety of the neighborhood?
  4. Adopted citywide plans: How does the project address goals identified in citywide plans, including the Comprehensive Plan with integrated sustainability goals, Imagine Tomorrow! Plan for Community Resources, City Council priorities, or others?
  5. Neighborhood support: Is there neighborhood support for the project? At least five resident signatures with addresses must be included with the application as well as signatures from the neighbors that are directly adjacent to the project site/improvements. Support for the project may also be demonstrated through other means, such as letters.
  6. Project maintenance needs: What is the maintenance plan for the project? Projects that reduce existing maintenance or those that will not substantially add to the City's maintenance responsibilities will score higher in this category.

City Council makes the final selection of projects to be funded. After projects are selected, city staff works closely with the neighborhood to ensure project completion.

Contact Information:

communityorg@lakewood.org

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