FREEPORT, Maine (AP) — L.L. Bean is awarding grants for creation and improvement of outdoor spaces in New Jersey, New York and Vermont.

The retailer, in partnership with The Trust for Public Lands, announced the $50,000 grants for each of the projects.

In Newark, New Jersey, the grant will help create an urban farm at West Side High School; In Huntington, Vermont, the grant will go to the Securing Access at Huntington Community Forest; in Calliccoon, New York, the grant will help construct a 47.5-acre (19-hectare) park.

L.L. Bean is spending $1 million over five years on the partnership with The Trust for Public Lands. They aim to ensure that there’s a quality park within walking distance of everyone in the U.S.

Close-to-home parks are more important than ever, said Diane Regas, president and CEO of The Trust for Public Land.

“I’m thrilled that L.L.Bean is committed to accelerating park and open space creation right now in communities that need it most,” she said.

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