$30.3 million announced for 87 local park projects throughout Illinois

July 12, 2022

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Chicago Construction News staff writer

A total of 87 parks across Illinois will share $30.3 million in grants for projects that will help communities acquire open space and develop and improve recreational facilities throughout Illinois.

“Investments in our local parks are investments in our communities,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a news release. “Park projects don’t just create jobs and boost local economic development — they open the gateway for a healthier, happier Illinois. Every family in our state deserves nearby access to outdoor public spaces where they can gather with their friends and neighbors — and enjoy some sunshine, too.”

Grants awarded through the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and can provide up to one-half of a project’s funds and, when combined with the investment of local matching funds, will support more than $56 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

The OSLAD program began in 1987 and has invested $433.5 million in 1,816 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax.

2022 OSLAD grant awards:

Brown County

Mount Sterling Park District, Joel Oliver Memorial Pool improvements – $400,000

Champaign County

Champaign County Forest Presrve District, Dark Sky Trail and amenities – $294,000

Village of Fisher, Fisher Village Park redevelopment – $234,900

Village of Rantoul, Heritage Lake redevelopment Phase 1 – $400,000

Tolono Park District, West Side Park revitalization – $400,000

Clark County

Clark County Park District, campground addition – $211,500

Clinton County

City of Trenton, Trenton Community Park improvements – $315,000

Cook County

Alsip Park District, skate park redevelopment – $203,500
Chicago Park District, Marian R. Byrnes Park – $500,000
Cook County Forest Preserve District, Beaubian Woods outdoor recreation amenities – $1,150,000
Des Plaines Park District, outdoor nature lab and play park – $400,000
Dolton Park District, Blackstone Park Phase I – $400,000
Elk Grove Park District, Marshall Park – $400,000
City of Evanston, skate park at Twiggs Park – $400,000
Park District of Forest Park, Reiger Park – $400,000
Hanover Park District, Community Park – $319,700
Village of Hazel Crest, 1750th Street Park Phase II – $400,000
Hoffman Estates Park District, Beacon Point – $180,000
Kenilworth Park District, Townley Field – $400,000
Lemont Park District, Downtown Linear Park development – $400,000
Village of Lincolnwood, Flowers Park – $400,000
Mount Prospect Park District, Rosemary S. Angus Friendship Park – $400,000
Niles Park District, Pioneer Park – $400,000
Northbrook Park District, Oaklane Park renovations – $400,000
City of Palos Heights, Orchard Park development – $282,100
Park Ridge Park District, Hinkley Park – $400,000
Prospect Heights Park District, East Wedgewood Park – $275,000
River Trails Park District, Willow Trails Park – $400,000
Skokie Park District, Central Park – $400,000
Tinley Park Park District, Buedingen Park redevelopment – $311,500
Worth Park District, Peaks Park improvements – $146,500

Dekalb County

Sycamore Park District, Reston Ponds Park – $240,300

DuPage County

Addison Park District, Lake Manor Nature Preserve – $396,200
Bartlett Park District, Apple Orchard Community Park – $400,000
Bloomingdale Park District, Stratford Park – $250,000
Butterfield Park District, Glenbriar Park northwest development – $400,000
Darien Park District, Community Park – $400,000
DuPage County Forest Preserve District, Willowbrook Forest Preserve – $400,000
Glen Ellyn Park District, Ackermann Park-Lenox site addition – $400,000
Itasca Park District, Benson Park – $400,000
Lombard Park District, Four Seasons Park Phase 2 – $283,100
Medinah Park District, Thorndale Park redevelopment – $400,000
Oak Brook Park District, Autumn Oaks Phase II at Central park – $400,000
Roselle Park District, Turner Park – $400,000
Village of Villa Park, Lufkin Park redevelopment – $400,000
Westmont Park District, 314 N. Grant St. expansion acquisition – $90,000
Wheaton Park District, Briar Patch Park improvements – $317,500

Effingham County

Effingham Water Authority, Lake Sara Pearson Peninsula Park development Phase II – $400,000

Franklin County

City of Christopher, park renovation – $253,000

Greene County

City of Carrollton, Fry Park improvements – $200,000
City of Roodhouse, REZ Park improvements – $400,000

Jefferson County

Village of Bluford, COMBO-Village Park acquisition – $200,000

JoDaviess County

Blackhawk Park District, Meridian Park pool house project – $100,000

Kane County

City of Elgin, Millennium Park – $338,100
Kane County Forest Preserve District, Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve – $400,000
Village of West Dundee, Fairhills Park – $400,000

Knox County

City of Galesburg, HT Custer Park renovation – $360,000

Lake County

Buffalo Grove Park District, Prairie Grove Park – $400,000
Park District of Highland Park, Park Avenue access improvement project – $400,000
Lake County Forest Preserve District, Lakewood Forest Preserve redevelopment – $400,000
Village of Libertyville, Nicholas Dowden Park Phase 1 – $400,000
Waukegan Park District, Bevier Park renovation – $400,000
Zion Park District, Shiloh Park – $400,000

Madison County

Village of Hartford, COMBO w/ land donation, Lewis and Clark Tower Park – $90,000

McDonough County

Macomb Park District, Patton Park development – $360,000

McHenry County

Village of Algonquin, Presidential Park improvements – $400,000
Village of Spring Grove, Main Street Park improvements – $145,800

McLean County

Heyworth, Centennial Park playground and improvements – $64,700

Moultrie County

City of Sullivan, Wyman Park improvements – $381,800

Ogle County

Village of Davis Junction, Community Park expansion acquisition – $100,000

Perry County

City of Du Quoin, Du Quoin Municipal Pool bathhouse and parking renovations – $390,500

Piatt County

Village of Atwood, COMBO-village park expansion – $15,000

Randolph County

Red Bud, Ratz Park revitalization – $400,000

Saline County

Harrisburg Township Park District, inclusive playground at soccer complex – $396,000

Sangamon County

City of Auburn, Union Park improvements – $400,000
Springfield Park District, Kiwanis Park redevelopment – $400,000

Shelby County

City of Shelbyville, ballfield enhancement project – $324,000
Village of Strasburg, park renovation – $318,000

Tazewell County

East Peoria, Levee Park Phase III spray pad and amphitheater – $400,000

Union County

City of Anna, Hadley’s Haven – $400,000

Will County

Channahon Park District, Tomahawk Aquatic Center – $400,000
Frankfort Park District, Redevelopment of Windy Hill Park – $174,000
New Lenox Community Park District, Hibernia Park development Phase II – $400,000
Plainfield Park District, Redevelopment of Van Horn Woods – $400,000
Village of Romeoville, Romeo Crossing Community Park – $400,000

Winnebago County