Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

Program Description

On December 12, 2024, 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 consistent with the purposes and requirements of the LWCF Act and LWCF Manual.

This competition will prioritize the selection of projects that:

  • Are developed in collaboration with the communities they serve. 

  • Include cooperation and partnerships among government, property owners, developers, financial institutions, and the public.

  • Promote greenspace investment and sustainable landscape development.

  • Enhance public health.

  • Promote, protect, and incorporate the distinctive character of a community.

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 from January 1, 2025 through February 28, 2025.  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. If your project is selected at the national level, additional information will be required.

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 25,000 or more in the 2020 Census, and

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 and playgrounds  
  • campgrounds
  • sports fields and courts
  • picnic areas and open-air pavilions
  • tracks for walking, hiking, or biking
  • water-based recreation facilities for swimming or boating

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:

February 28, 2025 (via email)

 

National Selection Date:

The NPS announcement of selected projects are anticipated September 2025. Selected projects must submit a full application for NPS final review by September 2026 to remain eligible for funding. Awards will be made upon NPS’s final review and approval of the full application.

 

 

 

Contact Us:

E-mail: rayne.gaston1@dnr.ga.gov

 

Application Requirements

A full application will need to include the 8 required items listed in the checklist. Please see the application checklist to the right, under “Required Elements”.

If interested in submitting an application, please contact LWCF Grant Coordinator, Rayne Gaston at rayne.gaston1@dnr.ga.gov 

 

Timeline

January 1, 2025: Application Cycle Open

February 28, 2025: Application Due to DNR

March – April 2025: Applications Reviewed by DNR

September 2025: National selection announced by National Park Service

 

Contact Us

Rayne Gaston, LWCF Grant Coordinator

404.290.7958  |  rayne.gaston1@dnr.ga.gov