Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

Note: Applications are not accepted at this time. Material on this website is for informational purposes only. However, feel free to review and become familiar with the content for planning purposes.

Program Description

On November 8, 2023, the National Park Service (NPS) released revised guidelines for the nation-wide grant program called the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program. The purpose of the ORLP Program is to provide new or significantly improved recreation opportunities in urban, disadvantaged communities lacking access to walkable outdoor recreation (a.k.a. park deserts), consistent with the purposes and requirements of the LWCF Act and LWCF Manual.

This competition will prioritize the selection of projects that: As green and blue spaces, and tree cover help to cool the air, reduce pollution, and have positive effects on mental and physical health, nature-based park projects will earn a 5-point bonus. Nature-based projects are those where nature is a major element of, or strongly supports, the proposed recreational activity.

ORLP is authorized under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act. As the lead agency for LWCF, the application process will begin with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Applications will be accepted by our office through the close of business on March 29, 2024 (4:00 pm). Submissions will be evaluated by DNR staff and those that meet the required elements and eligibility requirements will be forwarded to NPS to compete in the national competition. An estimate of 30 proposals will be selected by NPS. If your project is selected at the national level, additional information may be required.

A total of $224,145,000+ will be awarded.

Please note: ORLP is a completely separate application process from our LWCF grant program. If you are currently receiving or have received LWCF grant(s) within the last 7 years, you may not apply for an ORLP grant at the same park.

Grant Information

Eligible Applicants:	Located within an incorporated city (or town) having a population of 30,000 or more in the 2020 Census, and Located within a community (Census tract) that is determined to be disadvantaged per the Climate and Environmental Justice Screening Tool at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/ (includes tract of project site and community(ies) served)
Eligible Projects:	Assistance is available for a wide range of outdoor recreation uses and the facilities needed to support the use and enjoyment of these areas. These include, but are not limited to: community parks, campgrounds sports fields and courts picnic areas and tracks for walking or biking water-based recreation facilities such as for swimming or boating pools
Available Funds:	$224,145,000+
Grant Amount:	Applicants can request between $300,000 and $15,000,000
Required Match:	Grants require a minimum of 1:1 match from state, local, non-governmental, or private sources in the form of cash or in-kind contributions of land, service, materials, etc. All matching funds must be secured or firmly committed at the time of the application and supported by a signed letter from the donor.
Application Deadline:	March 29, 2024 at 4:00 pm (in office)
National Selection Date:	The NPS announcement of selected projects is anticipated to be November 1, 2024. Selected projects must submit a full application for NPS final review within one year of the announcement (Nov. 1, 2025) to remain eligible for funding. Awards will be made upon NPS’s final review and approval of the full application.
Copies Needed	Original and 1 copy (hardcopy)
Contact Us:	Phone: 404.463.8629 E-mail: antoinette.norfleet@dnr.ga.gov Mailing address: 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr, Suite 1352, Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Application requirements

A full application will need to include up to 16 items listed in the checklist. Click here to view. Please note some items are to be completed by the Grants Unit.

If interested in submitting an application, please call LWCF Grant Manager, Antoinette Norfleet, at 404.463.8629 to discuss the project and application process.