Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership
Forecasted
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership supports public agencies and Tribes in acquiring parkland, building outdoor recreation facilities, and renovating existing sites to improve public recreation access.
Funder: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Application submission)
Funding Amounts: $300,000–$15 million per grant, covering up to 50% of project costs
Summary: Supports public outdoor recreation through land acquisition, new facilities, and renovations in qualifying urban and Tribal areas.
Key Information: The entire assisted park or site must remain maintained and accessible exclusively for public outdoor recreation in perpetuity.
Description
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) is a nationally competitive National Park Service program administered in Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Established in 2014 within the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program, it funds acquisition of land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes, development of new facilities, and renovation of existing facilities in qualifying areas.
Projects may create new recreation spaces, expand existing parks, connect recreation areas, or combine acquisition and development. The program emphasizes improved recreation access, particularly in low-income communities with inadequate park access, alongside community engagement, resource partnerships, conservation benefits, and long-term project feasibility. Wisconsin DNR serves as the state lead agency and submits applications to NPS on applicants’ behalf.
