Deb Haaland Secretary at U.S. Department of Interior | Official website
The Department of the Interior has announced a $46.7 million investment through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program to support the redevelopment or creation of 10 local parks across various U.S. cities. The funding will benefit communities in Tucson, Arizona; Porterville, California; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Missouri; New Brunswick, New Jersey; Garner and Raleigh, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; and Houston, Texas.
This latest allocation brings the total ORLP grant funding for 2024 to nearly $127 million. Earlier investments included $21.9 million announced in March 2024 and $58.3 million in November 2023.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans – regardless of their zip code or background – have access to nature and its benefits,” stated Secretary Deb Haaland. “Through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, the Interior Department is investing millions of dollars for locally led projects that are creating new city parks and rehabilitating existing outdoor spaces, all driven by the needs and vision of local communities.”
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz recently conducted a nationwide tour to engage with community members about enhancing access to outdoor spaces and promoting state participation in the ORLP program.
Established in 2014 under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the ORLP program aims to create new outdoor recreation areas, rejuvenate existing parks, and connect economically underserved urban communities with nature. This initiative supports the Biden-Harris administration's America the Beautiful campaign—a conservation effort addressing nature and climate crises while improving equitable access to outdoor spaces.
Since its inception in 1965, the LWCF State and Local Assistance Program has funded over 46,000 projects nationwide. In 2020, Congress permanently allocated $900 million annually for LWCF through bipartisan support via the Great American Outdoors Act signed four years ago this week.
The following are details on selected projects under Round 6c of ORLP:
**Arizona**
- City of Tucson: $2,995,448 for Jacobs Park Revitalization and Expansion
**California**
- City of Porterville: $2,500,000 for Sante Fe Sports Complex
**Iowa**
- City of Des Moines: $5,291,000 for Birdland Park and Marina Master Plan Improvements Phase 1
**Missouri**
- Kansas City: $4,250,000 for Swope Park Improvements
**New Jersey**
- New Brunswick: $2,041,770 for Neilson Street Park Project
**North Carolina**
- Town of Garner: $8,500,000 for Yeargan Park Development Phase 1
- City of Raleigh: $8,679930 for Smoky Hollow Park Implementation
**Ohio**
- Cleveland Metroparks: $2m00000nfor Forest Hill Park Restoration
- City of Cleveland: $4613323for Clark Avenue Park Project
**Texas**
- Houston Parks And Recreation Department -$10000000nfor MacGregor Park Improvement Project
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