Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance Program

The Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance Program is administered by the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, a state-level agency responsible for advancing outdoor recreation opportunities, stewardship, and infrastructure across Utah. With support from the Outdoor Adventure Commission, the program has received a one-time allocation of 2.5 million dollars for the 2026 cycle. Historically, the program has provided technical assistance through staff expertise, but this funding expansion allows for broader engagement through contracted consulting services while continuing to leverage internal state expertise. The primary purpose of this program is to build planning capacity at the local level for outdoor recreation projects. It is designed to support communities, agencies, and organizations in developing high-quality plans and strategies that enhance outdoor recreation access, sustainability, and user experience. Rather than funding construction directly, the program focuses on planning-related activities that prepare projects for future implementation and funding opportunities. Eligible uses of funds include a wide range of planning and pre-development activities directly tied to outdoor recreation. These include feasibility studies, trail alignment studies, environmental and cultural assessments, biological surveys, and community engagement strategies. Additional allowable activities include stakeholder facilitation, master planning, conceptual design, mapping services, funding strategy development, and field data collection. Engineering services and construction design are also eligible under certain conditions, though these may require additional review and exceptions regarding matching requirements. The program offers awards of up to 200,000 dollars per project. No financial match is required for most planning activities, which lowers barriers to entry for smaller or resource-constrained applicants. However, an exception exists for detailed engineering and construction design services, where matching funds may be required as outlined in the program guide. This flexibility allows applicants to tailor their proposals based on project scope and readiness. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments. This broad eligibility framework reflects the program’s goal of supporting a wide range of entities involved in outdoor recreation planning. Applicants must ensure that all proposed activities are directly related to outdoor recreation and align with program priorities. Applications for the 2026 cycle are accepted during a defined window from April 6 through May 15, 2026. In addition to formal applications, the program offers ongoing mini-consultations, which may include site visits or virtual meetings to help applicants refine project ideas, connect to resources, and receive feedback. Applicants can schedule consultations directly with program staff, specifically the Statewide Recreation Planning Coordinator, who serves as the primary point of contact. The submission process requires applicants to prepare project scopes aligned with eligible activities and submit within the application window. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the summary, the program emphasizes alignment with outdoor recreation goals, feasibility, and community impact. Applicants are encouraged to consult the official program guide for detailed requirements, timelines, and evaluation standards. Awards are expected to support planning efforts that position projects for future funding and implementation, contributing to long-term outdoor recreation development across Utah.