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Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership

The Nevada Division of State Parks (NDSP) is seeking to identify potential projects and gauge applicant interest in the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, a nationally competitive grant program that provides funding to:

  • Acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas;
  • Develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas.

The goals of the program are to:

  • Expand access to outdoor recreation opportunities;
  • Address community recreation needs;
  • Leverage partnerships and resources to maximize recreation investments; and
  • Promote conservation, environmental stewardship, and ecological benefits.

The National Park Service has opened the current Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the ORLP Program. However, before committing to administering a state-level application process, NDSP is assessing the level of interest from eligible applicants and evaluating available staffing and administrative capacity necessary to support the program. Submission of a Letter of Interest (LOI) will assist NDSP in determining whether sufficient interest exists to move forward with a state application process.

NDSP anticipates that the ORLP Program may be offered through multiple funding rounds in future years, subject to continued federal funding availability, applicant interest, and agency staffing capacity. Information gathered through this outreach effort will help NDSP evaluate both immediate and long-term program administration needs.

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Eligible applicants are limited to political subdivisions, including:

  • Counties
  • Municipalities
  • Townships
  • Special districts

Nonprofit organizations are not eligible applicants under this program.

To be considered for participation should NDSP move forward with the program, interested entities must submit a Letter of Interest (LOI). Only entities that submit an LOI by the deadline will be eligible to submit a full application if NDSP elects to proceed.

Projects must be located within a qualifying area, defined as one of the following:

  • An urban area with a population of 25,000 or more, as identified in the most recent U.S. Census via the TIGERweb site;
  • Two or more adjacent urban areas with a combined population of 25,000 or more, as identified in the most recent U.S. Census; or
  • An area administered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe, Alaska Native community, or Native Hawaiian community organization.

Current Federal NOFO Status: Open through Grants.gov (Opportunity Number: P26AS00125)

  • Estimated Funding Range: $300,000 to $15,000,000 per project
  • Matching Requirement: ORLP reimburses up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs. Applicants must provide a minimum 50 percent non-federal match.
  • Perpetuity Requirement: Properties improved or acquired with ORLP funding must be maintained and remain available exclusively for public outdoor recreation use in perpetuity.
  • Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Requirements: As a component of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program, ORLP-funded projects must comply with the LWCF Act, the LWCF Manual, and Nevada's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

Letter of Interest (LOI) Deadline: July 24, 2026

Letter of Interest Submission Requirements

Interested entities must submit a Letter of Interest on official agency letterhead no later than July 24, 2026, via email to:

To be considered eligible for a future application, the LOI must include the following information:

  1. Project name and brief project description;
  2. Project location;
  3. Applicable census tract, urban area, and/or ZIP code;
  4. Estimated total project cost;
  5. Proposed ORLP funding request amount;
  6. Identification of the proposed source(s) of the required non-federal match; and
  7. Written acknowledgment that the applicant understands and can meet:
    • The required 50 percent non-federal match;
    • The perpetual public outdoor recreation use requirement; and
    • Applicable LWCF program requirements.

Following the LOI review period, NDSP will evaluate applicant interest and available staffing resources to determine whether to move forward with administering the current ORLP funding opportunity. Entities that submit an LOI will be notified of NDSP's decision and, if applicable, will receive additional information regarding application requirements, timelines, and submission procedures.

Should sufficient interest be demonstrated and staffing resources allow, NDSP intends to establish a process for administering future ORLP funding rounds as additional federal funding opportunities become available. Submission of an LOI for this initial outreach effort will also assist NDSP in identifying potential applicants and project needs for subsequent funding cycles.

NDSP appreciates your interest in enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Nevada and looks forward to learning about potential projects that advance the goals of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program.

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