California Application Requirements (ORLP)

The Submittable online application will require the following information:

Eligibility Requirements

1. Projects must be located in incorporated cities and towns with at least 30,000 people.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program is for projects in incorporated cities or towns with at least 30,000 people. To enable California’s ORLP Review Team to assess if the project is in a city/town with a population of at least 30,000 residents, applicants will provide the project site address. If the site does not have a street address, create a hyperlink to the Google Map location of the project site.

The project is in a city or town of at least 30,000 people = Eligible

The project is in a city or town less than 30,000 people = Ineligible

2. Projects must be located within a disadvantaged community (census tract).

Projects must be located in a Census tract that is determined to be disadvantaged per the Climate and Environmental Justice Screening Tool at https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov. Use the Tool to determine whether the project site is located within a disadvantaged census tract. Enter the project site address into the search bar at the top of the map. A disadvantaged census tract will be highlighted in blue on the map. Provide a screenshot of the map and the top right corner where it states that the census tract is identified as disadvantaged. See a sample screenshot here.

3. Committed Funds and Reimbursement Process

ORLP is a reimbursement only program and requires the applicant to cash-flow 100% of the total project costs, with the understanding that ORLP can reimburse up to 50% of the total project cost. For example, for a $30 million project where the applicant is seeking $15 million reimbursement in ORLP grant funding, the applicant must certify they have the committed funds to complete the $30 million project. See below for more information.

All non-federal (state, local, or private) sources are eligible for match.

Federal sources eligible as match for this program are Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act funding, and Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) funding. Other sources of federal funding are not eligible.

For purpose of this proposal, “committed” means the money is already secured.

The applicant will list each funding source and provide the dollar amount of that source.

Reimbursable Cashflow Source: This amount needs to equal the ORLP grant request amount for up to 50% of the total project cost. This is the funding that will be used to cashflow the ORLP grant amount until an ORLP reimbursement is processed. For example, general funds of the agency may be identified to “cash-flow” the ORLP grant amount until a reimbursement is paid.
Match Source: Funding source(s) proposed for match must be committed and must total at least 50% of the total project cost. Applicants may only list committed funds. For purpose of this proposal, “committed” means the money is already secured. The total amount of "committed" funds for match must equal at least 50% of the total project cost.

The applicant listed and certified state, local, private, or eligible federal funding match sources that equal the total project cost, with the understanding that ORLP can reimburse up to 50% of the total project cost. = Eligible

Committed funds are not available or more fundraising will be needed. = Ineligible

4. Timeline Confirmation

The applicant will certify an understanding of the state and national competitive review timeline for this federal grant program. This program requires states to receive and review applications before the applications may be forwarded to National Park Service (NPS) for entry into the national competition.

5. Confirmation of Land Ownership for Public Outdoor Recreation in Perpetuity

The applicant will certify it owns or will own the project property and agrees it will remain as a park for the public’s benefit in perpetuity. This federal program is subject to Title 54 U.S.C. 200.305.f.3. of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, which provides a source of protection to set aside land for public recreational benefits.

The entire park will be placed under federal protection for outdoor recreational use in perpetuity should the grant be awarded by NPS. This means the site, if funded, shall be owned by the grantee, and remain for outdoor recreation use in perpetuity.

Project Selection Criteria

Project Summary (500-word limit – not scored)

Applicants will provide a brief summary of the proposed project deliverables. If the project is land acquisition only, the summary and criteria responses below must include a description of the proposed development that would take place within 3 years after the ORLP acquisition project is complete.

Criteria 1 – Project Benefits

Criteria 1 evaluates how a project creates new impactful outdoor recreation features. The national priority for this program is to create new parks, or to create new outdoor recreation features that are not available in an existing park.

1.A. - Type of Project

Applicants will identify which of the following categories is applicable to their project.

“New Park”: the project site has not been a public park in the past, and if the grant is awarded, the project will acquire land for or develop a new public park where one currently does not exist.

“Expand Existing Park”: the project includes adding acreage to increase the official boundaries of an existing park. The project may also include improvements within the existing park boundary.

“Improve Park / No Expansion”: the project will take place within the existing park boundary and does not involve adding acreage to increase the size of the park boundary.

Points for 1.A. – Type of Park:

New Park = 10 points
Expand Existing Park = 7 points
Improve Existing Park/No Expansion = 5 points
The project will not create, expand, or improve a park = Ineligible

1.B. - New Outdoor Recreation Features

While renovations of existing features can be part of the project, the purpose of this section is to check what new outdoor recreation features are proposed, as this will make the project more competitive for the National Review Committee. The new recreation feature(s) must be outdoors. Projects that create multiple new recreation features to significantly increase the number of people or user groups that may be served will be most competitive.

Points for 1.B. - New Outdoor Recreation Features:

Four or more New Outdoor Recreation Features are proposed = 20 points
Three New Outdoor Recreation Features are proposed = 15 points
Two New Outdoor Recreation Features are proposed = 10 points
One New Outdoor Recreation Features is proposed = 5 points
The project only involves renovation of existing features = 0 points

1.C. - Green Space

The purpose of this section is to determine how the project will increase access to nature by creating new green spaces, natural-themed features (natural playgrounds, community gardens, etc.), and shady areas (via tree cover). In addition, other considerations should include natural landscapes that help cool the air and reduce urban heat island effects, reduce pollution, and have positive effects on mental and physical health.

Applicants will describe how the project creates new green spaces, natural landscapes, and tree cover.

Points for 1.C. - Green Space:

The project creates substantial new green spaces, natural themed recreation features and landscapes, and tree cover compared to other statewide applications = 15 points
The project creates moderate new green spaces compared to other statewide applications = 10 points
The project creates minimal new green spaces compared to other statewide applications = 5 points
The project does not create new green spaces compared to other statewide applications = 0 points

Criteria 2 – Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Priorities

Applicants will describe how the project meets the SCORP priorities. To be eligible, the project must meet at least one of these priorities. Projects that meet multiple priorities will be more competitive. Consider this guidance:

New Park Access – The response should describe how the project will qualify as a “new park” or “expanding an existing park.”
Preservation – The response should describe whether funding by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) was previously granted for part or all of the project site.
Multi-Use Parks for All Ages – The response should describe how the project will be designed to address one or more of the following:

a. Designed to bring families together by supporting art and music, sports, and multi-generational activities.

b. Supports different active and passive recreation interests of all ages.

c. Incorporate project design ideas from all age groups.

Health Design Goals – The response should describe how this project results from asking community members for their park design ideas for public health.
Safety and Beautification – The response should describe the how this project includes enhancements for:

a. Safe public use such as lighting, netting, strategic location of features, etc.

b. Beautification, such as landscaping to make the park more welcoming. Note: National Park Service will not fund public art enhancements.

Points for Meeting 2021-2025 SCORP Priorities:

All Five SCORP Priorities will be met between the project elements = 15 points
Four SCORP Priorities will be met between the project elements = 12 points
Three SCORP Priorities will be met between the project elements = 9 points
Two SCORP Priorities will be met between the project elements = 6 points
One SCORP Priority will be met between the project elements = 3 points
No SCORP Priority will be met = 0 points and will not be recommended for funding

The total maximum number of points for both Criteria is 60 points.

Agency Certification and Contacts

State Parks Office of Grants and Local Services Competitive Review Process will use the above information to rank all statewide ORLP proposals and select the most competitive proposals for ORLP Round 7. An application contact will certify authorization to submit the proposal on behalf of the grant applicant. Applicants can email questions to their OGALS’ Competitive Review Project Officer.

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