Anchorage — The Anchorage Park Foundation is offering Anchorage residents a chance to apply for grants of up to $40,000 for park improvements. The catch: They're challenge grants, and must be matched dollar-for-dollar. Volunteer time and in-kind donations count towards the match.

The foundation has $200,000 from the Rasmuson Foundation to spend on the grants, said park foundation executive director Beth Nordlund.

Free workshops are scheduled Feb. 11 at Spenard Recreation Center and Feb. 27 at Fairview Recreation Center. At the workshops, applicants can work with landscape architects on their proposals.

Applications are due to the foundation by March 22. The grants are announced in April.

Reach Rosemary Shinohara at rshinohara@adn.com or 257-4340.