Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program (ORLP) is funded through the Land and Water Conservation fund. This is a competitive grant program that funds outdoor recreational opportunities in urban areas.
Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program
Land and Water Conservation Act, 54 U.S.C 2003 Section 200305
Program Overview
The National Park Service (NPS) Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program was established in 2014 and a program within the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program. ORLP is a nationally competitive program targeting grant assistance to 1) acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas, and 2) develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas. ORLP grants require a 50% applicant match. If a grant is awarded, the assisted site must be maintained and accessible exclusively for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity.
The NPS will accept applications with a minimum grant amount of $300,000 and a maximum amount of $15 million. The LWCF Act provides that only State Lead Agencies for the LWCF program (Wisconsin DNR) may apply for funds. The Wisconsin DNR will apply on behalf of other state agencies, local units of government or federally recognized tribes. The NPS anticipates 20-45 grants will be awarded nationally.
Eligible projects must be within a qualifying area, defined as:
- an urban area that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census, or
- 2 or more adjacent urban areas with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census; or
- an area administered by a federally recognized Native American Tribe.
Eligible Applicants
State agencies, local units of governments, special purpose districts that manage open space, and federally recognized Native American Tribes.
Application Information
Contact information
For assistance with OLRP grants, contact:
Pam Rood
101 S. Webster St.
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
608-333-3718