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Grant Opportunity - National Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program

23 Aug 2022 11:08 AM | Bethani Gerhard (Administrator)

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces a grant opportunity for the National Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program. The ORLP program, funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), is a nationally competitive grant program.  Applicants must be cities with a population of 30,000 or more according to the 2020 Census. The proposed project must serve the specific needs of a community that is severely lacking in walkable, publicly accessible, outdoor recreation ("park deserts"). In addition, the area in which the proposed project is taking place must have a poverty rate of at least 20% or that is at least 10% higher than that of the project city, county, and state rates.

To be eligible, an applicant must be one of the following:

  1. Cities with a population of at least 30,000 according to the 2020 Census. Eligible cities with population 30,000 or more  PDF.
  2. Counties and special purpose park districts with park projects within or abutting a city with a population of at least 30,000 according to the 2020 Census.
  3. State agencies with park projects within or abutting a city with a population of at least 30,000 according to the 2020 Census.

Eligible projects include acquisition or development (or a combination) of lands and facilities that will provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public. All projects must meet requirements for perpetual outdoor recreation use.

The ORLP Program has $192 million available nationwide. The minimum grant is $300,000 and the maximum is $10,000,000. Projects require a minimum of 1:1  match from non-federal sources.

Additional information and application materials are available on the DNR program webpage, National Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us). Round 1 applications are due to the DNR by December 20, 2022, Round 2 applications are due to the DNR by April 25, 2023.

They are in the process of posting a revised application based on additional guidance from the National Park Service. 

If you have any questions, contact program staff: Audrey at Audrey.Mularie@state.mn.us, 651.259.5549 or Mai Neng at Mai.N.Moua@state.mn.us, 651.259.5638.


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