The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced the National Park Services’ Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP), which would fund the acquisition or development of new parks, as well as the major renovation of existing parks, in economically disadvantaged areas with populations of at least 25,000.
The initiative focuses on creating new or improved nature based parks in urban, disadvantage communities that are underserved and lack accessible walkable outdoor recreational spaces, often referred to as park deserts.
To qualify for consideration the project must be located in a municipality with a population of 30,000 or more based on 2020 Census, located within a Census tract
This funding opportunity will be active for a period of five years, with an anticipated 25 to 40 awards each year. The due dates for the preliminary applications are June 1, 2025, and November 1, 2025. For the June 1 deadline proposals are due to Green Acres by March 7, 2025. For the November 1 deadline proposals are due to Green Acres by August 1, 2025.
Visit the DEP’s website under Grants and Loans for more information and to apply.
Contact: Ciara Bradley, Research Associate, cbradley@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x128.