SPRINGFIELD – Nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities, Gov. JB Pritzker has announced.
For the second year in a row, the governor ensured funding was set aside for economically distressed communities, resulting in 32 underserved locations receiving $18.7 million in grants from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program. This is the 37th year for the program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
“Since day one as Governor, it’s been my mission to support the health and well-being of Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With funding from the OLSAD program, municipalities across Illinois will have the opportunity to expand and improve local neighborhood parks through sport and recreational space, plants, playgrounds, and more. All across Illinois, we’re enhancing our state’s natural beauty and creating safer, healthier, and happier communities.”
Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. It’s become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since it was established, OSLAD has awarded nearly $585 million for park projects throughout Illinois (including the awards announced this week).
“I appreciate Governor Pritzker’s continued efforts to ensure funding for the OSLAD program, which is a vital tool for communities to build safe, engaging, and accessible outdoor spaces for their residents,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “An investment in the outdoors is an investment in the health and well-being of the people of Illinois. We know that 83% of Illinoisans consider access to outdoor recreational opportunities important for them and their families. And studies show time and again that that getting outside leads to better overall health.”
Among the OSLAD park projects included in this round of funding is renovation of Crispus Attucks Park in Carbondale, an economically distressed community. The Carbondale Park District plans to replace the park’s current playground equipment, which has fallen into disrepair. Updates will include the addition of disabled-accessible flooring, swings and playground equipment, as there is no other accessible park in the area that is suitable for children as young as 3 up to teenagers.
Additionally, plans call for installing a zip line and a climbing structure, neither of which are community park features found in southern Illinois. The park district expects the renovation will bring excitement and enjoyment to the neighborhood, as well as a sense of community pride.
“The Carbondale Park District is thrilled to learn that we have been chosen for an OSLAD grant for Attucks Park. This park holds a significant place in the history of Carbondale and for the people it honors,” said Trey Anderson, executive director of the Carbondale Park District. “This project is much needed and will help the surrounding community by offering an upgraded play area for enhanced outdoor activity and community inclusion. Thank you to the State of Illinois and IDNR for investing in our neighborhoods with safe and accessible playgrounds.”
Also receiving OSLAD funding is Harristown, a Macon County village of about 1,300 residents, one-third of whom are youth under the age of 19, yet there is no public park or playground for children and families to enjoy.
With the help of a $150,000 OSLAD grant, the village board of trustees plans to build a park and playground that will have a pavilion, sitting areas, walking path, a disabled-accessible playground, a half basketball court, and pickleball courts. The village intends to utilize general funds and donations to match the OSLAD grant.
“The Village of Harristown is extremely happy to be receiving an OSLAD grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. A community park has long been a hope for our residents, as this will be the only public park for our village,” Harristown Mayor Evelyn Deverell said. “We have an unwavering commitment to building a park that will meet the needs of our community and its residents. Our citizens and board of trustees will all work together to use these funds in a way that serves Harristown.”
“OSLAD is one of the state’s most significant grant programs. For more than 30 years, it has raised the quality of life in communities throughout Illinois,” said Peter Murphy, president and CEO of the Illinois Association of Park Districts. “We commend Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly for their strong support and continued investment in local park and recreation projects that create opportunities for Illinois youth.”
Some of the other projects awarded OSLAD grants include:
• City of Toulon – Renovation of the city park, including adding a splash pad; resurfacing the half basketball court and adding an adjustable hoop for use by multiple age groups; updating the full-size basketball court into a multi-use court for basketball, tennis and pickleball; installation of a sign language panel and disabled-accessible playground equipment; and the addition of exercise equipment for all ages.
• Alsip Park District – Development of the 22.65-acre Freedom Park, featuring the first set of outdoor pickleball courts in the park district and a single-track mountain bike course, a nine-hole disc golf course, a monarch waystation, replacement of the 20-year-old playground, and extension of walking paths to connect to the regional Cal-Sag Trail.
• Sycamore Park District – Development of a new 2.7-acre community park that establishes diverse recreation amenities and resilient native plantings in the heart of a residential community. Recreational amenities will include a picnic shelter with disabled-accessible picnic table seating and green roof, fitness challenge course, a new playground, a half basketball court, game area, and the new Native Savannah Trail. Habitat and conservation elements will include a new native prairie savannah at North Grove Park’s east edge, native shade trees, educational signage, and more.
• Village of Ford Heights – Development of an outdoor community recreation area, including expanded playground facilities, three basketball courts, a concession stand, a football/multi-use field with space for spectators, walking path, and lighting to ensure safety.
• City of Mound City – Improvements to the existing city park, including disabled accessible walking path and connecting sidewalks, a disabled accessible parking area, a new playground structure and ground cover pad, replacement of the basketball court, and additional benches.
“Our neighborhood parks are the heart of our community,” said State Senator Napoleon Harris III of Harvey, whose district includes Ford Heights. “The investments the OSLAD program is making in the Ford Heights Park District will promote an active and healthy community. It is important that we continue to look for ways to expand and improve our local parks to create spaces we can all use and enjoy.”
“The OSLAD Program has served a tremendous role in connecting underserved communities to the great outdoors, and it’s great to see a major investment throughout the 47th District,” said State Senator Neil Anderson of Andalusia, whose district includes five economically distressed communities that will receive OSLAD grants. “Whether it is modernizing our parks, or revitalizing an empty space, it’s crucial for small communities to have a place to gather and connect in nature.”
“Our parks and recreational facilities add so much to our communities. They are places to get healthy, to learn, to enjoy nature, to find beauty and solace, and to have fun with friends and family,” said State Rep. Joyce Mason of Gurnee in Lake County. “Illinois OSLAD grants are an important investment in our neighborhoods, and these funds will mean so much to the residents of Lake County.”
“Investing in our outdoor spaces and local parks is a great opportunity to enrich the lives of many seeking a new modernized all-inclusive space for all,” said State Senator Dale Fowler of Harrisburg.
“The OSLAD program not only invests in parks and recreation, but it also fosters a healthier, happier community for all.”
FY2024 OSLAD grant awards
Adams County
Quincy Park District – $600,000
Bond County
City of Greenville – $600,000*
Calhoun County
Village of Kampsville – $600,000*
Champaign County
Champaign County Forest Preserve District – $1,125,000*
Christian County
City of Taylorville – $140,000
Taylorville Park District – $600,000
Clinton County
Aviston Park District – $100,000
City of Carlyle – $600,000
City of Centralia – $600,000*
Village of New Baden – $247,800
Coles County
City of Mattoon – $599,800*
Cook County
Alsip Park District – $583,000
Arlington Heights Park District – $600,000
Bartlett Park District – $600,000
Chicago Heights Park District – $600,000*
Chicago Park District – $700,000
City of Elgin – $600,000
City of Palos Hills – $292,100
Community Park District of La Grange Park – $600,000
Golf Maine Park District – $500,000
Hoffman Estates Park District – $600,000
Illinois Medical District Commission – $600,000
Memorial Park District (Melrose Park) – $600,000*
Morton Grove Park District – $352,100
Niles Park District – $600,000
Northbrook Park District – $600,000
Northfield Park District – $405,300
Oak Lawn Park District – $600,000
Olympia Fields Park District – $270,600
Park District of LaGrange – $600,000
Veterans Park District (Franklin Park) – $371,800
Village of Ford Heights – $600,000*
Village of Orland Park – $600,000
Village of Richton Park – $200,000
DeKalb County
Sycamore Park District – $348,300
DuPage County
Addison Park District – $600,000
Bensenville Park District – $570,100
Bloomingdale Township Park District – $150,000
City of Aurora – $600,000
City of Warrenville – $600,000
Fox Valley Park District – $600,000
Lisle Park District – $600,000
Roselle Park District – $600,000
St. Charles Park District – $600,000
Village of Itasca – $600,000
Village of Villa Park – $600,000
Village of Willowbrook – $600,000
Westmont Park District – $228,300
Winfield Park District – $600,000
York Center Park District (Lombard) – $304,200
Edwards County
Village of West Salem – $44,300
Effingham County
Teutopolis Park District – $346,500
South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission – $118,300
Fayette County
City of Vandalia – $600,000*
Franklin County
City of Benton – $43,720
Greene County
Village of Rockbridge – $600,000*
Grundy County
Village of Minooka – $600,000
Hancock County
City of Dallas City – $600,000*
City of Nauvoo – $600,000*
Henry County
Kewanee Park District – $600,000*
Jackson County
Carbondale Park District – $600,000*
Village of Elkville – $574,400*
Jefferson County
City of Nason – $600,000*
Kane County
Sugar Grove Park District – $600,000
Village of Elburn – $446,100
Kankakee County
Kankakee Valley Park District – $600,000*
Limestone Park District – $500,000
Village of Bradley – $600,000
Knox County
City of Abingdon – $600,000*
City of Galesburg – $500,000
Lake County
Lake Bluff Park District – $600,000
Lake Villa Public Library District – $600,000
Lake Villa Township – $600,000
Lindenhurst Park District – $450,000
Mundelein Park and Recreation District – $600,000
Park District of Highland Park – $528,500
Village of Deer Park – $600,000
Village of Lake Zurich – $600,000
LaSalle County
City of LaSalle – $300,000
City of Peru – $600,000
City of Streator – $219,900*
Lee County
Dixon Park District – $68,200
Livingston County
Village of Dwight – $600,000*
Macon County
Macon County Conservation District – $600,000*
Village of Harristown – $150,000
Macoupin County
Village of Modesto – $600,000*
Madison County
Granite City Park District – $500,000*
Madison County Mass Transit District – $500,000
Marion County
Village of Central City – $599,600*
McHenry County
Crystal Lake Park District – $329,000
Huntley Park District – $509,500
Marengo Park District – $600,000*
Montgomery County
City of Litchfield – $300,000
Moultrie County
City of Sullivan – $576,000
Ogle County
Oregon Park District – $600,000
Village of Mount Morris – $152,600
Piatt County
Sangamon Township – $45,000
Pike County
Village of Perry – $600,000*
Pulaski County
City of Mound City – $599,800*
St. Clair County
City of Belleville – $99,200
Sangamon County
Village of Southern View – $280,700*
Stark County
City of Toulon – $600,000*
Tazewell County
Pekin Park District – $210,500
Will County
Frankfort Square Park District – $600,000
Lockport Township Park District – $600,000
Manhattan Park District – $234,200
Village of Shorewood – $600,000
Williamson County
City of Hurst – $586,000*
Winnebago County
Rockford Park District – $600,000*
Village of Roscoe – $531,400
Winnebago County Forest Preserve – $389,900*
*Denotes an economically distressed community.