Outgoing Trump Interior Department Defunds Urban Parks
On January 19, 2021 the US Department of Interior issued an order diverting funds away from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership, which funds urban green spaces in areas that lack access to conventional parks — primarily in non-white communities. This action came despite funding by Congress of $125M in the recent Omnibus spending bill.
The OLRP is part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Interior’s order shifted funds from ORLP to other programs within the Land and Water Conservation Fund. A letter protesting the action has been sent to Congress by over 100 groups, including National League of Cities, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Outdoor Industry Association, and others.
