Senator Fowler announces $2.3 million in parks and rec grants

State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) alongside the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are announcing more than $2.3 million in Open Space Land Acquisitions and Development (OSLAD) grants throughout the 59^th Senate District.

“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 Senator Fowler. “The OSLAD program not only invests in parks and recreation, but it also fosters a healthier, happier community for all.”

This year, $54.9 million in OSLAD grants were awarded to 111 projects across the entire state. The OSLAD program was established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986 and is a cost sharing program between state and local governments to help fund land acquisition and development for outdoor recreation.

Projects across the 59^th Senate District include:

• Carbondale Park District – $600,000 – Aims to replace current playground structures at Crispus Attucks Park to allow for accessible and inclusive play for a wide variety of ages. Further, this project will allow for accessible playground surfacing.
• City of Hurst – $586,000 – The rehabilitation of existing baseball field and related appurtenances, creating improved parking areas, and installing new playground equipment, fitness equipment, pickleball court, picnic pavilion, walking/biking path, disk golf course, gaga pit, and lighting and native landscaping.
• City of Mound City – $599,800 – Improvement project to provide an ADA accessible walking path, connecting sidewalks throughout the park plus the construction an ADA accessible parking area. Upgrades to playground equipment to include a new playground structure and ground cover pad. Replacement of the dilapidated basketball court and addition of new benches.
• Village of Elkville – $574,400 – Renovation of the existing baseball and softball fields with associated appurtenances, improved accessible parking areas, renovation of an existing pavilion, installation of a pickleball court, and play area, extending the walking/biking path, and installing new lighting and landscaping.

In the 37-year history of the program, OSLAD has provided more than $585 million for park projects across the state. For a full list of projects and the amount communities are receiving, click here.