Governor Quinn Announces Major Investments for 75 Park Projects Across Illinois

OAK PARK - Governor Pat Quinn today announced $26 million in investments for 75 local projects across Illinois that will help communities acquire land for parks and improve recreational opportunities. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to increase recreational opportunities, create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Illinois' first-rate parks and recreation facilities are good for our families and our businesses," Governor Quinn said. "By investing in our parks and providing communities with more opportunities for recreation, we can improve the quality of life for families while creating jobs and driving Illinois' economy forward."

The investments announced today are through the state's Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program. The program will provide $24 million to support 75 projects in 28 counties throughout Illinois. An additional $2 million comes from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Together, these sources can provide up to one-half of a project's funds. Today's announcement of $26 million will support more than $52 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

"These programs help protect critical open space in Illinois, especially in areas of the state where development is occurring at a fast pace," IDNR Director Marc Miller said. "These resources also help communities maintain and modernize facilities they already own, protecting the value of public investments."

The OSLAD program began in 1987 and has invested $390.5 million in 1,678 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state's Real Estate Transfer Tax.

OSLAD/LWCF Project Awards:

Adams County

• Quincy Park District, $30,000, for the development of a skate park at Lincoln Park on Quinsippi Island Road.

Bond County

• Kingsbury Park District, $400,000, to renovate the William S. Wait Pool in Greenville.

Cook County

• Arlington Heights Park District, $400,000, to renovate and add new facilities at Lake Arlington Park.
• Berwyn Park District, $87,700, to acquire three parcels for a neighborhood park.
• Berwyn Park District, $306,600, to renovate an existing waterway into an educational demonstration garden including a water course for children.
• Chicago Park District, $800,000, to develop the Park 571 site on the Chicago River in Bridgeport.
• Chicago Park District, $1,500,000, to acquire land located at the west end of the 606 elevated trail.
• Des Plaines Park District, $251,100, to renovate Apache Park.
• Forest Preserve District of Cook County, $1,063,500, to add nature play and outdoor recreation elements at Dan Ryan Woods.
• Park District of Forest Park, $400,000, for the development of Roos Park on Harrison Street.
• Park District of Franklin Park, $217,900, to renovate Maple Park.
• Golf Maine Park District, $250,000, to renovate Dee Park in the northwest portion of the District.
• Community Park District of La Grange Park, $88,900, to renovate Beach - Oak Park on Beach Avenue.
• City of Markham, $400,000, to renovate an existing baseball field, parking lot and concession stand on West 163rd Street.
• Maywood Park District, $247,400, to renovate Central Area Park at 9th and Madison Avenue.
• Memorial Park District, $341,700, to renovate Eisenhower Park on Wolf Road in Hillside.
• Mount Prospect Park District, $376,000, to redevelop Einstein Park on Walnut Avenue.
• North Berwyn Park District, $400,000, to construct a new aquatic facility on the site of the existing Maple Pool.
• Oak Lawn Park District, $400,000, to renovate Centennial Park on Oak Park Avenue.
• Park District of Oak Park, $400,000, to renovate Euclid Square Park on Fillmore Street.
• Park Ridge Park District, $400,000, for the initial development of the Youth Campus Park on Prospect Avenue.
• Sauk Village, $205,000, to renovate Arrowhead Park.
• Winnetka Park District, $398,500, to redevelop Hubbard Woods Park.

DeKalb County

• Genoa Township Park District, $60,600, for enhancements at Chamberlain Park.

DuPage County

• Bloomingdale Park District, $224,000, to enhance Circle Park.
• Butterfield Park District, $750,000, to acquire parcel adjacent to Glenbriar Park.
• Elmhurst Park District, $400,000, to renovate Butterfield Park in southeast Elmhurst.
• Oakbrook Terrace Park District, $400,000, to renovate the Heritage Park site.
• Glen Ellyn Park District, $400,000, to update recreational and ecological elements of Lake Ellyn Park.
• Itasca Park District, $363,500, to develop the Ray Franzen Bird Sanctuary off Rohlwing Road.
• Medinah Park District, $200,000, to renovate Riha Park, located in the southwestern portion of the District.
• Oak Brook Park District, $400,000, to renovate Central Park.
• Westmont Park District, $400,000, for initial park development of 4.76 acres on Wilmette Avenue.
• Winfield Park District, $245,200, to renovate 12 acre Wynwood Park.

Franklin County

• City of Sesser, $271,000, for improvements to the existing facilities at Miners Memorial Park.

Henderson

• Village of Oquawka, $52,700, to install a new playground in the Public Square Park.

Jo Daviess County

• Village of Scales Mound, $46,300, to install new playground equipment and lighting at Town Park.

Kane County

• City of Aurora, $400,000, to create an adventure playground in Phillips Park.
• Hampshire Township Park District, $375,400 to renovate and add new facilities to Bruce Ream Park on the west side of Hampshire.
• Forest Preserve District of Kane County, $568,500, to acquire a 75-acre parcel adjacent to Freeman Kame-Meagher Preserve near Gilberts.

Kankakee County

• Bourbonnais Township Park District, $361,600 to renovate Whispering Willows Park.

Kendall County

• Kendall County Forest Preserve District, $750,000, to acquire 166 acres of property along the Fox River between Silver Springs State Park and Hoover Forest Preserve.
• City of Plano, $202,000, for improvements at Foli Park.

Lake County

• Lake Bluff Park District, $400,000, to renovate the Blair Park Aquatic Facility.
• Lake County Forest Preserve District, $263,700, to increase recreation opportunities at Spring Bluff Forest Preserve in Winthrop Harbor by converting an existing asphalt road into a gravel hiking trail and constructing a wildlife observation platform.

LaSalle County

• City of Peru, $256,800, for improvements at Washington Park.
• Village of Seneca, $214,700, for Phase I development of a new 14 acre park adjacent to the I&M Canal Trail.
• Village of Streator, $400,000, for the initial development of the Vermilion Greenway Park.

Logan County

• Mt. Pulaski Township Park District, $303,100, to renovate the District's pool and construct a new bathhouse and toddler pool at East Park in Mt. Pulaski.

Macon County

• Decatur Park District, $400,000, to renovate Nelson Park on Lake Decatur.

Madison County

• City of Edwardsville, $400,000, for development of a new park on Illinois Route 159.

McHenry County

• Crystal Lake Park District, $400,000, to renovate and enhance facilities at Main Beach.

Mercer County

• Village of Matherville, $32,700, to develop a new playground at Old School Park.
• City of New Boston, $400,000, to expand the recreational opportunities at the Sturgeon Bay Campground adjacent to the Mississippi River.

Ogle County

• Byron Park District, $298,500, to redevelop and enhance Hamas Park.
• Byron Park District, $46,700, to acquire land along the Rock River.

Peoria County

• Hollis Park District, $149,900, to redevelop Butler-Haynes Park in Mapleton.
• Peoria Park District, $285,000, to construct a skate park at Lakeview Park.

St. Clair County

• East St. Louis Park District, $237,300, to renovate the tennis courts at Lincoln Park.

Stephenson County

• Village of Rock City, $62,300, to add new playground equipment at Rock City Park.

Union County

• City of Anna, $149,600, for improvements to Anna City Park.

Warren County

• City of Monmouth, $360,000, to renovate and add recreation facilities at Citizens Lake, located west of Monmouth.

White County

• City of Grayville, $400,000, to renovate Grayville Park on the Wabash River.

Whiteside County

• City of Rock Falls, $400,000, for initial development of the RB&W District Park on the Rock River.

Will County

• Channahon Park District, $400,000, to enhance Central Park.
• Frankfort Square Park District $199,000, to redevelop Community Park on St. Francis Road.
• Godley Park District, $400,000, to redevelop K Mine Park.
• Joliet Park District, $750,000, to acquire an 80-acre parcel on Hoberg Road.
• Mokena Park District, $400,000, for the initial development of a portion of McGovney-Yunker Park, at LaPorte & Schoolhouse Roads.
• Romeoville Recreation Department, $400,000, for the initial development of Bigelow Park.
• Village of Shorewood, $400,000, for the initial development of Lake Forrest Park.
• Village of University Park, $225,500, to redevelop 42-acre Pine Lake Park.
• Forest Preserve District of Will County, $400,000, for the development of 450-acre Plum Valley Preserve.
• City of Wilmington, $252,100, to acquire 2.5 acres on South Island.

Woodford County

• Village of Congerville, $150,000, to develop the village's first park site.