Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program is a federal grant initiative administered by the National Park Service and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with state-level coordination provided by the California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services. Established in 2014, the program is designed to expand and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities in urban and underserved communities, particularly those with populations of 25000 or more. The program emphasizes equitable access to parks and recreational spaces, prioritizing communities with limited access to safe and nearby outdoor environments. The primary purpose of the program is to fund the acquisition, development, or substantial renovation of public parks and outdoor recreation facilities. Eligible uses of funding include land acquisition, construction of new recreational features, and major improvements to existing park infrastructure. Projects must be open to the general public and intended for long term recreational use. Funding cannot be used for activities outside the defined project boundary or for non recreation purposes, and all supported properties must be preserved for public outdoor recreation in perpetuity. The program operates as a reimbursement grant, meaning applicants must secure and commit the full project funding upfront. Up to fifty percent of the total project cost may be reimbursed through the grant, with the remaining fifty percent required as a non federal or eligible federal match. Applicants must demonstrate that all funding sources are fully committed at the time of application submission and must be capable of cash flowing the entire project cost prior to reimbursement. Eligible applicants include cities, counties, park and recreation districts, special districts, certain state agencies, federally recognized Native American tribes, and joint powers authorities composed of eligible public entities. Projects must be located in qualifying urban areas as defined by census data or on tribal lands, and must involve outdoor recreation facilities accessible to the general public. Additional eligibility requirements include confirmed property ownership or acquisition plans, commitment to protect the park in perpetuity, and adherence to federal environmental review processes. The application process involves two competitive stages. First, applicants submit proposals to the state administering agency, which conducts an internal review and selects top projects. Selected applications are then forwarded to the National Park Service for national competition. Applications must include detailed project descriptions, site plans, budget narratives, and documentation of community engagement, environmental design considerations, and alignment with statewide recreation priorities. Evaluation criteria include project type, number of new recreation features, environmental sustainability measures, alignment with statewide recreation plans, community based planning efforts, partnerships, and demonstrated community need. Projects are scored on a point based system, with additional bonus points available for completed environmental review documentation at the time of application. The application timeline includes a state level deadline of August 28 2026, followed by review and technical assistance through October 2026. Final submissions to the National Park Service are due by November 1 2026, with national selections expected in May 2027. If selected, applicants must complete federal requirements within one year before receiving a funding agreement. The performance period is expected to span from 2028 through 2034, with projects required to be completed within five years of funding approval.

Focus on demonstrating multiple new recreation features strong community engagement and alignment with statewide recreation priorities