Rhode Island might be small, but our love for the outdoors is huge! We're famous for our beautiful beaches, parks, waterways, and green spaces that not only make life better for all of us who live here but also attract visitors from all over the world. These places aren't just nice to have; they're key to our health, happiness, and economy. The SCORP ensures these local treasures get the care they deserve and continue to make Rhode Island special, now and in the future. It’s about guaranteeing outdoor access for all Rhode Islanders, preserving the beauty and health of our natural resources, and strengthening the vitality of our local communities.

The SCORP will outline funding priorities for outdoor recreation investment over the next 10 years. Your favorite beach, park, walking trail, or boat ramp is part of this plan! Your feedback about your recreational needs are invaluable to us as we plan for improvements and additions to our recreational infrastructure.

We define outdoor recreation very broadly. It includes all the ways Rhode Islanders recreate outside: everything from playing organized sports, going to the beach, walking, paddling, sailing, fishing, and hunting – and all the infrastructure and resources that people use for these activities – local playgrounds and rec centers, state parks and beaches, boat ramps, fishing piers, walking trails, and more!

This effort is led by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning. Each state must prepare a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) every ten years to remain qualified for stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).