Creating Local Parks and Recreation Since 1949 

The NPS Federal Lands to Parks (NPS-FLP) program helps communities to acquire, reuse and protect surplus Federal properties for local parks and recreation. States, counties, and local government may acquire federal land and buildings no longer needed by the Federal government at no cost on condition they are protected for public parks and recreation in perpetuity. Since its inception in 1949, this program has transferred about 184,000 acres of land to state and local governments for public parks and recreation use.

The NPS-FLP program is a public benefit conveyance program under the Federal Property and Administrative Act of 1949, as amended, that helps increase close to home recreation opportunities and the public recreation estate. The program works with communities interested in acquiring federal property for parks and recreation, from finding out about available federal property, assisting with the application, advocating for the public recreation, and deeding the property. Once transferred, the NPS-FLP program continues to work with communities to ensure this land remains available and used for public parks and recreation in perpetuity and to protect important natural and cultural resources.  

The NPS-FLP facilitates the stewardship of former Recreational Demonstration Areas. The recreational demonstration areas consists of Federal areas transferred to States in the 1930s and 1940s on the condition that they remain available and protected for public park, recreational, and conservation purposes. 

The NPS-FLP program cooperates with other NPS offices, federal agencies, and external partners to extend the benefits of parks and recreation. To learn more, visit National Park Service Urban Programs.