Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership, or ORLP, is a nationally competitive grant program administered by the National Park Service that provides funding to enhance recreation opportunities in rural and urban communities.
ORLP funding helps communities create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks and form stronger connections between people and the outdoors. Funded project sites must be maintained and accessible for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity.
ORLP applications are available annually
Utah applicants submit materials to the Division of Outdoor Recreation for review and selection. Applications selected by the state must be submitted to the National Park Service by Nov. 1.
Who can apply?
Projects must serve a qualifying population or be located in an area administered by a federally recognized Tribal government.
Population eligibility
A project must take place within one of the following qualifying areas:
- A region with at least 25,000 residents based on the most recent census.
- Two or more adjacent urban areas with a combined population of at least 25,000 residents.
- An area administered by a federally recognized Tribal government.
Eligible entities
- Local government agencies, including cities, towns and counties.
- Tribal governments.
- State agencies partnering with local communities.
- Nonprofit organizations applying in partnership with an eligible government entity.
What types of projects may be funded?
ORLP funding may support the acquisition, development or redevelopment of spaces that provide public outdoor recreation opportunities.
Acquisition
Fee-simple acquisition of land or interests in land to enhance and expand public outdoor recreation opportunities, conserve natural resources and protect cultural and historic sites.
Development
Development of new outdoor recreation infrastructure that creates or expands opportunities for public outdoor recreation.
Redevelopment
Improvements and enhancements to existing outdoor recreation infrastructure.
How projects are selected
ORLP is a nationally competitive federal grant. Utah’s process begins with an application to the Division of Outdoor Recreation.
Apply through Utah
Applicants submit their materials to the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation for review and selection.
State submission
The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation submits selected projects to the National Park Service on behalf of the applicants.
National competition
The National Park Service competitively ranks eligible projects from across the country and selects projects for funding.
What to know before applying
Applicants should carefully evaluate the long-term federal requirements associated with ORLP funding before submitting a proposal.
Public recreation in perpetuity
Project sites must be maintained and accessible for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity.
Determine a NEPA pathway
Applicants must determine an appropriate National Environmental Policy Act pathway before securing federal funding.
Future changes may require replacement
Ineligible structures or alterations may trigger a conversion of use, requiring replacement with outdoor recreation space of equal value.
Forms and resources
Review the program guidance and complete the required materials before submitting an ORLP application.
- Utah Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
- Conversion of Use Information
-
Boundary Map Template Coming soon
- Application Budget Worksheet
Have questions about ORLP?
Contact the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation grants team for help with application requirements, project eligibility and the state review process.
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