Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program

Acquisition of lands, wetlands, and waters for public outdoor recreation, including new areas or additions to existing parks, forests, wildlife management areas, beaches, and other similar areas dedicated to public outdoor recreation, as well as physical connections among them (e.g., trails, waterways, land between recreation areas, wildlife habitat corridors) may be eligible for assistance.

For local governments, there is a population threshold of 25,000+. Grants require a minimum of 1:1 match from state, local, non-governmental, or private sources in the form of cash or in-kind contributions of land, service, materials, etc. All matching funds must be secured or firmly committed at the time of the application and supported by a signed letter from the donor. This competition will prioritize the selection of projects that: Create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in a qualifying area;

- Engage and empower low-income communities and youth;

- Provide employment or job training opportunities for youth or low-income communities;

- Establish or expand public-private partnerships, with a focus on leveraging resources; and

- Take advantage of coordination among various levels of government