The Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance (ORPA) Program is a newly relaunched grant opportunity from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR), made possible by a one-time allocation of $1.5 million from the Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission (OAC). This program is designed to support recreation-focused planning efforts by local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and other agencies across Utah. The program provides financial and technical support to help recipients develop foundational plans and strategies that will improve outdoor recreation opportunities statewide.
The 2025 ORPA grant cycle is currently open from April 1 to May 7, 2025. Each applicant may request up to $200,000 in grant funding, and no financial match is required. However, applicants must submit a letter of commitment and schedule a pre-application meeting with the DOR’s Recreation Planning Coordinator, Emily Meadows, before submitting an application. These meetings can be scheduled virtually and may include site visits or tailored mini-consultations to assist applicants in project scoping and resource planning.
The program funds a wide range of planning activities that are directly related to outdoor recreation, including but not limited to feasibility studies, trail alignment studies, environmental and cultural assessments, community outreach, stakeholder facilitation, mapping, conceptual site design, funding strategies, and visitor use mitigation. It also supports preliminary engineering or construction design services necessary for future implementation efforts.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, state agencies, federal agencies, non-profits, and tribal governments operating within Utah. Proposals must focus on outdoor recreation outcomes and demonstrate thoughtful planning efforts that will lead to improved access, sustainability, or user experience in public outdoor spaces.
To apply or schedule a required consultation, applicants should contact Emily Meadows at emeadows@utah.gov. The program’s guidance document provides additional detail on application components, funding rules, and eligible services. This program is part of Utah's broader effort to strengthen community-led recreation infrastructure and planning statewide.
