Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership Program

The purpose of this program is to provide new or significantly improve outdoor recreation opportunities for economically disadvantaged communities in larger urbanized areas that are undeserved in terms of parks and other outdoor recreation resources.

Applicants must have a DNR-approved community five-year recreation plan to be eligible.

Projects must meet recreation goals as identified in the State's Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, be located within a city having a population of 30,000 or more, and located within a disadvantaged community per EJScreen. Eligible project types include acquisition or development for a wide range of outdoor recreation uses and facilities. Projects must involve publicly owned land or transfer of ownership by fee simple acquisition to a public entity. Ineligible projects include most indoor recreation and other buildings (like nature centers), though support facilities like restrooms can be eligible.

The application process involves submittal of a Full Application via MiGrants, Evaluation by DNR Staff, Selection by the DNR to the NPS, Panel Review of Full Applications received Nationwide, and Final Approval of Projects by the NPS.