SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR) has awarded $2.3 million to support 24 outdoor recreation planning projects through the 2026 Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance (ORPA) grant program. The projects will help communities and partners across Utah plan for future recreation opportunities, improve access and strengthen local outdoor recreation economies.
Now in its second year as a grant program, ORPA continues to help communities build the planning foundation needed to support sustainable outdoor recreation development. The program provides funding for planning efforts that help local leaders identify recreation needs, prioritize investments and create long-term strategies for managing growth and visitation.
“Strong recreation opportunities start with strong planning,” said Emily Meadows, statewide recreation planning coordinator for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. “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.”
The 2026 awards will support a wide range of planning projects, including recreation master plans, trail alignment studies, feasibility studies, recreation inventories, engineering and site design work, environmental planning efforts, economic studies and community engagement initiatives. The funded projects represent partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations, federal land management agencies and regional organizations throughout Utah.
Several projects will focus on identifying and planning new trail connections, while others will help communities develop comprehensive recreation master plans to guide future infrastructure investments. Additional projects will assess recreation-related economic opportunities, evaluate environmental considerations and improve accessibility for a broader range of outdoor users.
The ORPA program was originally created to provide technical planning assistance through Division staff expertise. In 2025, the program expanded to include direct grant funding, helping communities access professional planning services without requiring a financial match. The program is designed to reduce barriers for rural and underserved communities while supporting recreation planning efforts statewide.
“Many communities recognize the value of outdoor recreation but may not have the resources to invest in planning on their own,” said Meadows. “ORPA helps bridge that gap by giving local leaders the tools and information they need to make informed decisions and build recreation opportunities that serve their communities for years to come.”
A full list of 2026 ORPA grant recipients is available at https://recreation.utah.gov/grants/planning-assistance.
For more information about the Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance Program and other grant opportunities, visit recreation.utah.gov.
About Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation
In 2022, the Utah State Legislature recognized the growing importance of the outdoors to Utah’s economic prosperity and quality of life and created the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR). As part of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, DOR builds on the nation’s first Office of Outdoor Recreation and supports statewide outdoor recreation through key programs and initiatives, including Utah’s Boating Program, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program, Grants, Trails & Planning, the Statewide Trail Crew and Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative.
DOR is committed to ensuring health, safety, enjoyment, and economic benefit through life-enriching, high-quality outdoor recreation for all of Utah’s residents and visitors. DOR’s areas of focus include recreational access, safety and education, stewardship and sustainable visitation, and economic growth and opportunity through outdoor recreation. For more information, visit recreation.utah.gov.