Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership Program
Forecasted
Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership Program supports communities in developing, renovating and acquiring land for public outdoor recreation, expanding access where existing parks do not meet local needs.
Funder: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (federal submission) | September 2027 (Michigan MiGrants) | November 2027 (federal) | November 2028 (federal) | November 2029 (federal) | November 2030 (federal)
Funding Amounts: $300,000–$15 million per award; projects generally take 1–3 years after the grant agreement begins
Summary: Competitive grants support land acquisition and the development or renovation of public outdoor recreation areas in qualifying communities.
Key Information: Michigan applicants need a DNR-approved community five-year recreation plan; assisted sites must remain available for public outdoor recreation in perpetuity.
Description
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program funds the acquisition of land and water for parks and the development or renovation of public outdoor recreation facilities. Part of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund State and Local Assistance Program, it is administered nationally by the National Park Service (NPS) and jointly in Michigan by NPS and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Projects must create or significantly improve recreation opportunities in qualifying urban areas or areas administered by eligible Tribal or Native communities.
The program supports uses ranging from parks, trails and playgrounds to water-based recreation and publicly accessible conservation areas. Review priorities include expanding access where parks do not meet local needs, engaging low-income communities and youth, leveraging partnerships, providing conservation benefits, and demonstrating a feasible project plan.
