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The Metropolitan Greenspace Program, administered by the Greater Sydney Commission, attracted 34 Council submissions, with 19 successful grants which are provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
The program supports local councils in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast to improve regional open space by co-funding projects that enhance open spaces, parks, bushland, natural areas, waterway corridors and tree-lined streetscapes.
The grants were announced at the opening of a $1.4 million shared pathway at Gannons Park in Peakhurst.
At the opening NSW Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts announced that as well as receiving 2015 and 2016 Metropolitan Greenspace Program grants, Gannons Park would also receive funding in the 2017 round.
Environment Commissioner, Roderick Simpson, said the majority of the selected projects directly deliver Green Grid priorities and projects identified in the Draft District Plans.
"We had a record number of applications from Councils this year, again the highest in the history of the fund which demonstrates the work that Councils and the Commission have been doing is coming to fruition," Mr Simpson said.
The Metropolitan Greenspace Program is the longest running grants program in Sydney and since 1990, more than $43 million has been provided to over 620 projects. This year, an additional $1 million was provided for the Program.
Applications for the next round of funding under the Program will be open in August 2017.