Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program 

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program is a federal grant initiative funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the National Park Service. Administered in Kansas by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), Division of State Parks, this grant program complements the existing Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and was established in 2014. The core mission of the ORLP program is to expand and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities in economically disadvantaged urban communities across the United States. It aims to support park development and recreational access in urbanized areas, especially those with limited outdoor facilities. For 2022, the ORLP Program made available a total of $192 million nationwide. This funding includes Congressional appropriations for fiscal year 2022 as well as unused funds from prior years. Grants will be disbursed in two rounds: Round 6A and Round 6B. Applicants can request between $300,000 and $10,000,000 per project. The program emphasizes support for projects that involve significant improvements or new developments in outdoor recreational infrastructure and services. Eligible applicants include state agencies and local government units such as cities, counties, and special purpose districts (e.g., park districts) located within or abutting cities with a population of at least 30,000 people. Applications for Round 6A were due by November 15, 2022, and Round 6B by February 8, 2023. While the opportunity is not rolling, it is part of a recurring funding program. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks serves as the lead agency for coordinating submissions in Kansas. If a local project is selected, the LWCF Grant Coordinator will assist the applicant in submitting a full application to the National Park Service. Applicants are required to complete detailed environmental documentation, including an Environmental Resources Survey. This involves assessing the presence and impact of environmental features such as air and water quality, endangered species, wetlands, cultural and historic sites, and more. The survey must be completed in consultation with relevant federal, state, tribal, and local agencies and often requires hiring qualified environmental consultants. These costs can be included as eligible pre-award costs in the project budget. In addition to a comprehensive environmental review, applicants must obtain necessary permits from regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, depending on the nature of the project. The application must also include reports, supporting maps, and consultations with appropriate agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State Historic Preservation Office, and others as relevant to the project scope. Contact for this grant is Kati Westerhaus, the LWCF Grant Coordinator at KDWP. She can be reached at kati.westerhaus@ks.gov or by phone at 620-672-5911. Additional resources and links, such as Kansas’ Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), are available to help guide applicants through the process.

Include all required maps, permits, and SHPO consultation early due to 30-day timeline.