Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program
Forecasted
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program supports communities with limited outdoor recreation access by funding park acquisition, development, and renovation to expand public recreation close to home.
Funder: California Department of Parks and Recreation
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2027 (OGALS application) | November 2027 (NPS application)
Funding Amounts: $300,000–$15 million per application; up to 50% of project costs; up to five years for completion
Summary: Supports park acquisition, development, and substantial renovation to expand public outdoor recreation in qualifying communities.
Key Information: Applicants must have committed funds to cash-flow 100% of project costs before reimbursement.
Description
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program is a nationally competitive National Park Service (NPS) program funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Established in 2014, it supports land acquisition, development of new public parks, and substantial renovation of obsolete outdoor recreation facilities. Its central focus is communities with little to no access to publicly available outdoor recreation close to home.
In California, the Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) conducts a state competition and forwards selected applications to NPS for national review. National priorities favor new parks and new recreation features that expand access and serve additional user groups. Community-based planning, environmental design, partnerships, and demonstrated community benefits contribute to California’s selection process.
