Blogs

By: @Lilia Hernandez

Two weeks ago the State Parks sponsored virtual workshops overviewing the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program grant. Established in 2014, the ORLP program is a federally funded National Park Service’s (NPS) Land and Water Conservation fund involving a competitive layer of reviewal processes that are first completed by the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS), then the state, and finally NPS before applicants can compete nationwide. 

Approximately $50-$120 million is available in the program, granting between $300 thousand - $15 million per applicant’s requested project. Funds are specific to acquisition and/or development for new parks or substantial renovations in economically disadvantaged cities, towns, counties, or designated areas with a census of at least 25,000 individuals. Other eligible applicants include:

• Federally recognized Native American tribes
• Joint Powers Authority (JPA) where all members are public agencies. A JPA can include a state agency if at least one member is a local (non-state) public agency or district, and the JPA was formed for the purpose of providing park and recreation areas.
• Non-state agency recreation and park districts and special districts with authority to acquire, operate, and maintain public park and recreation areas.
• State agencies, Department of Parks Recreation, Department of Fish and Wildlife/Wildlife Conservation Board, Department of Water Resources, and The State Coastal Conservancy.

Applications are open until Friday, August 28, 2026.

OGALS commence a thorough review process between September-October 2026 to select applicants for the November 1, 2026 NPS application deadline. The NPS review date is anticipated for May 2027 for applicants’ advancement to complete the Post Selection Federal Requirements prior to issuing an official funding agreement that is to be finalized within a year.  Applicants have up to five years to complete their project upon securing funding.

Eligible agencies may find more information and apply here.