SACRAMENTO, February 4, 2025 – California State Parks is now accepting applications for the eighth round of the federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program. This nationally competitive program helps fund park projects in neighborhoods where residents have limited or no access to nearby outdoor recreation opportunities. Eligible public agencies can request up to $15 million per project.
“These grants are a great opportunity to expand access to parks in the communities that need it most so all Californians, no matter their zip code, can experience the joy and wellness that come from spending time in outdoor spaces,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “I encourage all eligible public agencies to apply and join us in advancing California’s Outdoors for All initiative, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, to ensure equitable access to parks and outdoor spaces for all Californians.”
ORLP is a National Park Service (NPS) grant program that provides matching funds for park projects in underserved urban communities. California State Parks submits the state’s applications to the NPS, working with communities to put forward the most competitive projects. In this round of ORLP, approximately $90 million in total funding is available nationwide.
Key details for applicants:
- Deadline: Applications must be submitted online to California State Parks by 5 p.m. on March 11, 2025. State Parks will forward the most competitive applications to the NPS for further consideration.
- Grant Amount: Applicants can request up to $15 million for projects that acquire, renovate or develop parks in underserved communities.
- Eligibility: Cities, counties, state agencies, federally recognized Native American tribes, Joint Powers Authorities, park districts, and special districts with authority to acquire, operate, and maintain public park and recreation areas in California are eligible to apply.
- Project Criteria: Projects must be within a 2020 census tract or incorporated city or town of at least 25,000 people.
- Application Support: State Parks will hold workshops for interested applicants. For instructions to apply or join a workshop, please visit California’s ORLP webpage.
In the previous round held in 2024, NPS awarded California the most grants and the largest total amount the state has received in the program’s history.
For additional program information, email LWCF@Parks.ca.gov.
About ORLP
ORLP is a nationally competitive grant program that provides matching funds for park projects in underserved urban communities. California State Parks submits the state’s applications, working with communities to put forward the most competitive projects.
In the previous round held in 2024, California was awarded $95 million in grant funding – the most grants and the largest total amount the state has received in the program’s history.
About LWCF
LWCF grants provide funding for the acquisition or development of land to create new outdoor recreation opportunities for the health and wellness of Californians. Since its inception in 1965, the LWCF program in California has funded more than 1,600 projects totaling $360 million. Check out recent projects here: Parks for All Californians: Projects Gallery and Map. For additional program information, email LWCF@Parks.ca.gov.
About the California State Parks Grant Program
State Parks develops grant programs to fund projects for local, state and nonprofit organizations. Since 1964, nearly 8,000 community parks throughout California have been created or improved with California State Parks grant funding investments. Since 2000, this state program has administered approximately $3.8 billion in grant funding throughout California.