Up to $120 Million In Grant Funding Available to Enhance Outdoor Recreation Opportunities 

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By
Charles Delgado, Caitlin Loventhal
Date Published
August 6, 2026

The National Park Service (NPS) is currently accepting grant applications for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program. Established in 2014 and funded through the NPS Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), ORLP is a nationally competitive grant program designed to expand outdoor recreation opportunities in urban communities with populations of 25,000 or more. The program focuses on communities with little to no access to publicly available, close-by, outdoor recreation opportunities. 

 ORLP funding may be used to acquire land for public outdoor recreation, develop new parks and recreation facilities, or sustainably renovate outdated or obsolete public parks and outdoor recreation spaces.  

Approximately $50 million to $120 million is available nationwide through this funding round. Grant awards will range from $300,000 to $15 million per application. ORLP funding may cover up to 50% of the total project; remaining costs must come from eligible match sources. 

Eligible applicants include: 

  • Counties 
  • Cities 
  • Parks and open space districts 
  • Special districts with authority to acquire, operate, and maintain public park and recreation areas 
  • State agencies including: 
    • Department of Parks and Recreation 
    • Department of Fish and Wildlife 
    • Wildlife Conservation Board 
    • Department of Water Resources 
    • The State Coastal Conservancy 
  • Federally recognized tribes 
  • Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs) whose members are otherwise eligible applicants 

Applicants will go through an initial state review process before being sent to the federal grant competition. To apply, submit grant applications to California State Parks by August 28, 2026. 

For additional information on program requirements and the application process, please visit the California State Parks website. 

Additional Resources and Technical Assistance: