The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR) administers three grant programs authorized by the Utah Legislature: the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant, Recreation Restoration Infrastructure grant, and the Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation & Education program.
The purposes of the three Utah outdoor recreation grants programs:
- Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) — Helps fund outdoor recreation infrastructure projects that improve recreation amenities for residents as well as attract tourists to the region
- Recreation Restoration Infrastructure (RRI) grant — Funds restoration or rehabilitation of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure
- Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation & Education (UCORE) grant — Funds programming that provides Utah’s youth (ages 6 to 18) with outdoor recreation skill-building and nature-focused, hands-on learning
Applications for UORG and RRI grant cycle will be accepted Jan. 15 to March 20, 2020. Applications for UCORE will be accepted Jan. 15 to Feb. 20, 2020.
“Our office is excited to offer two new grants, the Recreation Restoration Infrastructure grant and Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation & Education grant,” said Tom Adams, director of the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation. “UCORE shows the financial support behind the state’s Every Kid Outdoors Initiative, which aims to get kids active and healthy outdoors, while RRI further exemplifies how the state encourages partnerships between local, federal and nonprofit entities to improve and update Utah’s existing outdoor recreation infrastructure.”
Over five years, the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant awarded funding for 155 outdoor recreation projects. These projects include more than 25 types of outdoor recreation activities throughout the state. The grants provide matching grant funding to local governments and nonprofits to build outdoor recreation infrastructures such as trails, boat ramps and more.
In the 2020 grant cycle, UORG award amounts will range from $1,000 to $150,000, with an additional award amount called the Regional Asset Tier that includes award amounts of up to $500,000 to support larger infrastructure projects.
“From trails connecting parks and neighborhoods in South Salt Lake to the restoration and revitalization of the Price River in Helper, and from rock climbing access above Castle Dale to multi-use trails in St. George, the outdoor recreation grant has improved the quality of life in dozens of cities and towns and for residents and visitors alike,” said Cameron Diehl, executive director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns. “The grant is a great example of levels of government, businesses and residents working together to invest in Utah communities and enhance access for all to the state’s natural beauty.”
For additional information about the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation and the grants it manages on behalf of the Utah Legislature, please visit business.utah.gov/outdoor.
View graphics and multimedia resources for the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant here.