What is the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program?

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program is a Federal NPS grant program that provides funding to increase access to outdoor recreation in economically disadvantaged urban areas with little to no access to public outdoor recreation.

Earlier this year, the NPS announced $192 million of funding available, allocated in two funding rounds, 6A and 6B.

We attended a webinar hosted by City Parks Alliance and the NPS to learn more about the eligibility requirements and how to navigate the application process. Here are key points we learned that we think will be helpful if you submit an application on your community's behalf.

Application Deadlines:

Round 6A – January 31st, 2023: This is the early submission deadline.

Round 6B – May 31st, 2023: Whatever percentage of funding is leftover from 6A will be allocated in this round. If all funds are used in round 6A, round 6B will be canceled.

* The review period for rounds 6A and 6B takes seven (7) months each.

*Applications must be submitted to your NPS state representative. Application dates for each state may vary and are before the NPS' January 31st, 2023, deadline. Find your State Agency by clicking here.

Eligible Applicants:

  • Cities
  • Counties
  • State agencies
  • Federally recognized Native American Tribes
  • Non-Profit Organizations cannot apply on their own. However, they can partner with public agencies. These applications (public and NPO collaboration) will be ranked higher than a public entity application.

Project Eligibility Need-to-Knows:

  • Projects must be located in urban areas with a population of at least 30,000.
  • Projects must be in an area with a poverty level of at least 20% or at least 10% higher than the project city, county, and state rates.
  • Projects must be targeted around land development or land acquisition (or a combination).
  • There cannot be any existing parks within 0.5 mile (10-minute walk) of the target community.
  • Project must break ground within one (1) year of approval.
  • Projects can encompass all avenues of outdoor recreation activities such as hiking, camping, unstructured play, field and court sports, outdoor fitness, swimming, and fishing.
  • Priority will be given to proposals that reflect public engagement and align with the community's wants and needs.
  • School projects will be considered if they support recreation activities for the public and don't solely benefit the students and/or school programming.

You can read more about the ORLP program and who to contact if you have questions at the link below.

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/outdoor-recreation-legacy-partnership-grants-program.htm