The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program is a federal grant initiative designed to provide matching grants to states and local governments for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. The program is particularly focused on urban areas that are economically disadvantaged and underserved in terms of parks and other outdoor recreation resources. It is part of the broader National Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and is administered in Michigan through a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the National Park Service (NPS).

The ORLP Program aims to create and improve outdoor recreation opportunities in urban communities with a population of 25,000 or more, as determined by the 2020 Census. Eligible communities must also be classified as underserved based on specific evaluation criteria. The program's main objectives are to enhance recreational spaces through collaboration with local communities, support public-private partnerships to maximize project impact, and promote sustainable land development. Projects should contribute to ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, economic benefits, and public health improvements through land conservation and outdoor recreation investments.

Eligible applicants include any legally constituted unit of government with the authority to provide recreation services, including Native American tribes. Applicants must have a DNR-approved five-year recreation plan. Projects must align with Michigan’s 2023-2027 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), be located in cities with populations of 30,000 or more, and be situated in a census tract classified as disadvantaged based on the Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool (EJScreen). Eligible project types include the acquisition or development of publicly owned land for outdoor recreational purposes. However, indoor recreation facilities, nature centers, and education centers are generally ineligible unless they directly support outdoor recreation.

The application process includes several steps. Applicants must first submit a full application through MiGrants for review by the Michigan DNR. If selected, the application advances to the NPS for national review and approval. If a project is chosen, the applicant must submit a full federal application within one year, which includes a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, a State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review, and, if necessary, additional consultations regarding environmental impact and endangered species assessments.

The program follows a biannual application cycle. The first round of applications must be submitted through MiGrants by April 1, 2025, for eligibility review before final submission to Grants.gov by June 1, 2025. The NPS will announce selections by September 2025. The second round of applications is due by September 1, 2025, with final submission by November 1, 2025, and selections announced by February 1, 2026. Once selected, a full award package must be submitted for final review within one year.

Funding for the ORLP Program is provided through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. The minimum grant request is $300,000, while the maximum is $15 million. The program requires a funding match from applicants, meaning grant recipients must contribute an amount equal to or greater than the grant received.

For more information, applicants can contact Christie Bayus, the program manager, at 517-242-8737 or via email at BayusC@Michigan.gov. Additional resources and application materials are available through the Michigan DNR.