The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation awarded $2.3 million on July 30, 2026, to support 24 outdoor recreation planning projects across the state. This funding, distributed through the 2026 Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance program, is intended to help local leaders identify recreation needs, prioritize investments, and create long-term strategies for managing growth and visitation.
Broad Scope of Planning Projects
The 2026 awards will support a diverse array of initiatives, including recreation master plans, trail alignment studies, feasibility studies, and recreation inventories. According to the Division of Outdoor Recreation, the projects also encompass engineering and site design work, environmental planning efforts, economic studies, and community engagement initiatives. These projects involve partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations, federal land management agencies, and regional organizations throughout Utah.
Several projects are expected to focus on identifying and planning new trail connections, while others will assist communities in developing comprehensive recreation master plans to guide future infrastructure investments. Additionally, some projects will assess recreation-related economic opportunities, evaluate environmental considerations, and work to improve accessibility for a broader range of outdoor users.
Evolution of the ORPA Program
The Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance (ORPA) program is currently in its second year as a formal grant program. According to the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, the program was originally established to provide technical planning assistance through the expertise of Division staff. In 2025, the program expanded to include direct grant funding, which allows communities to access professional planning services without requiring a financial match.
Emily Meadows, the statewide recreation planning coordinator for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, stated that strong recreation opportunities begin with strong planning. Meadows noted that these projects will help communities better understand their recreation assets, engage residents and stakeholders, and create a roadmap for future investments that benefit both residents and visitors. She added that the ORPA program helps bridge the gap for many communities that recognize the value of outdoor recreation but may lack the resources to invest in planning independently.
Foundational Success in 2025
The 2026 funding cycle follows a successful first cycle of the ORPA grant program. On July 14, 2025, the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation announced it had awarded $1.5 million to support 21 outdoor recreation planning projects across 13 counties. That initial 2025 cycle was funded through a one-time allocation from the Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission.
During that 2025 cycle, the Division received 41 eligible applications requesting more than $5.5 million, demonstrating high demand for local planning. The 2025 projects included recreation master plans, feasibility studies, community engagement and needs assessments, impact fee studies, and conceptual site designs. A key goal of the program has been to make opportunities accessible to smaller and rural communities by removing financial match requirements.
Division Mission and Programs
The Division of Outdoor Recreation was created in 2022 after the Utah State Legislature recognized the growing importance of the outdoors to the state's economic prosperity and quality of life. As part of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, the Division supports statewide outdoor recreation through various initiatives, including the Boating Program, the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program, and the Statewide Trail Crew.
Other programs managed by the Division include the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG), which supports new infrastructure to aid local economic development, and the Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant (RRI), which funds the restoration of high-use trails. The Division also manages the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Youth Engagement Grants, which provides outdoor-focused learning experiences for Utah youth ages 6-18.
Future Outlook
The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation is committed to ensuring health, safety, enjoyment, and economic benefit through high-quality outdoor recreation for all Utah residents and visitors. The Division focuses its efforts on recreational access, safety and education, stewardship, sustainable visitation, and economic growth.
A full list of the 2026 ORPA grant recipients is available through the Division of Outdoor Recreation's official website.
