Governor Quinn Announces Investments in Decatur's Nelson Park

DECATUR - Governor Pat Quinn today announced investments in Decatur's Nelson Park to support a new amphitheatre and a major stormwater treatment project. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to increase recreational opportunities and protect the environment by modernizing Illinois' water infrastructure.

"We need to make sure Nelson Park is here for generations to come," Governor Quinn said. "Investments in this great space will ensure families in the area have opportunities to enjoy time outdoors and wonderful cultural events the area has to offer."

The Decatur Park District will receive $2 million from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to construct the new state-of-the-art Nelson Park Amphitheatre overlooking Lake Decatur. The amphitheatre will be a main outdoor cultural venue in central Illinois, hosting nationally recognized as well as local musicians, plays, movies and cultural arts events.

Construction of the amphitheatre will follow the commitment to energy efficiency and green building techniques established in the Nelson Park Master Plan, including the use of permeable pavement and energy efficient lighting. The amphitheatre is part of Decatur's Lakeshore Landing development project to promote lakefront tourism and create a multi-generational recreation center within Nelson Park.

The Nelson Park Bioretention Project will receive a $575,000 Green Infrastructure Grant to help construct two bioretention treatment trains to catch and treat stormwater runoff from Nelson Park and the surrounding neighborhood. The treatment is designed to increase stormwater infiltration and reduce the number of combined sewer overflows that release runoff into nearby Lake Decatur. The total estimated project cost is $6.8 million. When complete, the bioretention project will reduce sediment and chemical runoff into Lake Decatur totaling up to eight tons of sediment, 42 pounds of phosphorus and 337 pounds of nitrogen each year.

"Time and again, Governor Quinn has demonstrated his commitment to Decatur," State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) said. "This investment in Nelson Park will serve our residents for decades to come and is exactly what the community needs."

"Green infrastructure is a great tool to address stormwater management issues," Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett said. "This project will greatly benefit the City of Decatur by addressing stormwater challenges and also reducing the impact on Lake Decatur."

In May 2013, Nelson Park received a $400,000 investment through the state's Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program to renovate parts of a large pavilion and a small pavilion, develop a fitness trail with exercise stations, a mountain biking trail and fishing pier, restore ten acres with native prairie plants along with habitat improvement and a bio-swale to reduce soil erosion.

The funding announced today comes from Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.