Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Trails Program | Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Trails Program | Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Parks and Recreation | <p dir="ltr">​​The Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Trails (ORTP) Program is a match based grant program that aims to help with land acquisition for public parks and outdoor recreation facility development in Delaware. Trust-generated income is used to fund the ORPT Program. Since 1988 when the first grants were awarded, the ORPT Program has provided over $32​ million in matching grant assistance to eligible local, county and state governments throughout Delaware. A grant match is required, and can be acquired from any of the following sources:<br></p><p>Municipal and county governments, and park distr​​icts, may apply for grant funding under the Outdoor Recreatio​​​n, Parks and Trails Program.</p><p>Grants may be awa​​​rded for projects such as park land acquisition, planning and design of parks or trails, and outdoor recreation facility construction.</p><p>Grants have funded a wide range or projects, including picnic tables, benches, playgrounds, lighting, main​​tenance and restroom facilities, skate parks, trails and bridges.​<br></p> | <p>​Property acquisition/easement, planning​​<br></p> | <p>​Grants, technical assisstance<br></p><p>Grants awarded to municipalities or counties require a 50% match, grants awarded to park districts require a 25% match.<br></p> | <p>$5,000 to $100,000<br></p> | <p>​Local governments, counties, park districts</p> | <p>​In March invitation letters are sent to all eligible agencies requesting online pre-applications. Pre-applications are due in late May or early​​ June, and are then evaluated by the Joint Council Review Committee in June. Full applications are due in September, and awards are made in November or December. Contact Michael Tholstrup (info below) for specific deadlines. </p> | <p>Interested applicants may call to discuss their project ideas at any time during the year. Contact Michael Tholstrup (info below)​ for additional information.</p> | <p><span style="font-size:13px;"><a href="https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/parks/planning/recreation-parks-trails/">https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/parks/planning/recreation-parks-trails/</a></span>​<br></p><p> </p> | <p>Previously funded projects can be viewed by clicking <a href="https://documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/parks/Services/Documents/grants/Completed-and-Approved-ORPT-Projects.pdf">here</a>. <br></p> | <p dir="ltr">Michael Tholstrup<br></p><p dir="ltr">Outdoor Recreation Planner<br></p><p dir="ltr">DNREC, Division of Parks & Recreation</p><p dir="ltr">89 Kings Highway</p><p dir="ltr">Dover, DE 19901​<br></p><p dir="ltr">Phone: (302) 739-9215<br></p><p dir="ltr">Email: Michael.Tholstrup@delaware.gov<br></p><br> | | |