# Plain Language Summary: Outdoors for All Act

This bill creates a federal grant program that gives money to cities, counties, states, and Native American communities to build and improve parks and outdoor recreation spaces in urban areas. The program, called the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, is run by the Department of the Interior and focuses specifically on helping communities that currently don't have enough access to parks and green spaces.

The grants can be used for two main purposes: buying land to create new parks or outdoor recreation areas, and building or fixing up existing recreation facilities like playgrounds, trails, sports courts, or community gardens. The bill prioritizes projects that serve low-income neighborhoods and underserved communities, especially those that create jobs for young people or involve working with local nonprofits. Projects that bring multiple government agencies together or partner with private businesses get extra consideration. The bill also specifically encourages projects that help Native American communities create cultural gathering spaces and event sites.

To receive a grant, organizations generally need to match the federal money dollar-for-dollar with their own funds or donations, though the Secretary of the Interior can waive this requirement if an organization genuinely can't afford it. There are some restrictions on how the money can be spent—it can't go toward professional sports facilities, indoor recreation centers, or ongoing maintenance costs. The bill also requires the government to make sure low-income communities know about these grants and understand how to apply, providing information in multiple languages and culturally appropriate ways.

Outdoors for All Act

Barragán, Nanette Diaz

Outdoors for All Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish an outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program under which Interior may award grants to states, certain political subdivisions of a state, special purpose districts, Indian tribes, or Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian communities or organizations. Funds must be used for projects to (1) acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas, and (2) develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas. Qualifying area means <ul> <li>an urbanized area or urban cluster that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census,</li> <li>two or more adjacent urban clusters with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census, or </li> <li>an area that is administered by an Indian tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization.</li> </ul> Interior shall give priority to projects that <ul> <li>create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban neighborhood or community,</li> <li>engage and empower underserved communities and youth,</li> <li>provide opportunities for employment or job training for youth or underserved communities,</li> <li>establish or expand public-private partnerships, and</li> <li>take advantage of coordination among various levels of government.</li> </ul>