Local parks get record $254 million boost from Interior Department. Here's a full list of cities benefitting

This week, the United States Department of the Interior announced the single largest grant investment made from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program.

Overseen by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the National Park Service, ORLP will invest $254 million into 54 projects in 24 states for the redevelopment or creation of new local parks.

A major component of the ORLP is to provide safe outdoor spaces for historically marginalized communities. It is part of the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to have 40% of the benefits of all federal funding flow to “disadvantaged communities.”

In the U.S., park inequity — or the lack of access to recreational outdoor spaces — predominantly impacts people of color.

According to The Trust for Public Land, neighborhoods where residents predominantly identify as people of color have access to an average of 44% less park acreage than predominantly white neighborhoods, and low-income neighborhoods with 42% less park acreage, compared to areas boasting high-income residents.

This historic investment aims to change that.

“Everyone deserves to experience the restorative power of nature, but increasing access to public outdoor spaces has not always received the investment and drive needed to make an impact,” Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement.

“Supporting the communities that benefit from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program has been a top priority for our Administration, and a critical step to bringing more green spaces to urban and disadvantaged communities.”

She added that this program makes history with the largest investment “since its inception.”

In addition to facilitating park growth in underserved areas, the ORLP program also aims to address the nature and climate crises and strengthen the economy. This year’s major investment follows a $22 million slew of grants in 2023, which also went towards increasing outdoor access in urban areas.

With the program first established in 2014, its massive growth in subsequent years indicates a need from local stakeholders. Grant applications were open to community-sponsored park projects where the population is greater than 30,000 residents. 

This year’s funds will go towards 54 projects in 24 states, matching up to 50% of total project costs. 

The announcement also follows a nationwide tour by Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz, who traveled the country to hear from community members to learn how to best connect people with access to the outdoors.

Secretary Haaland and Assistant Secretary Estenoz also toured in-progress ORLP projects in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, where they saw the construction of new park infrastructure, upgraded trails, and expanded play and picnic areas, according to the Department.

This round of funding aims to make those kinds of projects the norm in communities across the country.

“The enthusiasm for this program is wonderful, with the highest number of applications we’ve ever seen,” said Assistant Secretary Estenoz. “After traveling across the United States to increase awareness of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program, I’m thrilled to see so many cities receive grants for the first time.”  

See a full list of the newly funded park projects below.

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Header image courtesy of Joplin Parks & Recreation