The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation is accepting applications for the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant, formerly the Utah Waypoint Grant. Nonprofits, youth programs, and local or tribal government agencies may apply to receive up to a 50/50 matching grant of no more than $75,000 to put toward programs that directly benefit the public.
“Each year we see increased participation in outdoor activities within our local communities,” said Tom Adams, director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation. “It is important to provide these communities and other invested groups the necessary resources to sustainably plan, prepare and participate in outdoor recreation.”
An important change in this year’s grant is the addition of youth programs to the list of eligible projects. Eligible infrastructure development projects include but are not limited to youth programs, trails, trail infrastructure, and trail facilities; restroom facilities near recreational areas; ramps and launch sites that would improve water access; whitewater parks; yurts; and infrastructure for wildlife viewing areas. The project areas must be accessible by the public to qualify.
The inaugural round of submissions during 2015 yielded a number of success stories including the opening of the Moab Boulder Park and Highland Bike Park.
Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant applications will be accepted until August 11, 2016. Please note that this grant program has limited funding. The program will close once all funds have been distributed.
Applications and detailed eligibility requirements are included in the downloadable grant packet at business.utah.gov/outdoor.