Trust for Public Land Applauds the Department of the Interior’s Announcement to Allocate a Record $192 Million to Expand Public Parks in Our Cities through Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP)
July 29, 2022
WASHINGTON
Statement from Bill Lee, President of Trust for Public Land Action Fund and Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations at Trust for Public Land on the announcement that the National Park Service will distribute $192 million to local communities through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership(ORLP) grant program.
“Increasing equitable access to the outdoors helps more people lead healthier, happier, more prosperous lives. Today’s announcement by the Department of Interior that they will distribute a record-setting $192 million through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program demonstrates Secretary Haaland’s deep commitment to park creation, especially in under-resourced communities, increasing access to nature where it is most needed.
TPL is proud to partner with Mayors and community leaders to secure record-setting levels of investments in community-led park and trail projects providing more Americans with nearby access to green spaces. We applaud the Department’s improvements to the program allowing more communities to take part with more impactful projects. We look forward to working with the Department to help marginalized communities take full advantage of these critical Federal resources.”
ORLP acquisition and development grants range from $300,000 to $10 million to support projects in cities that reinvigorate parks and other outdoor recreation spaces, with priority given to projects located in areas that are economically disadvantaged and lacking outdoor recreation resources. These competitive grants are funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund – State and Local Assistance Program.
About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 3 million acres of public land, created more than 5,000 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $84 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected more than 9 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.