4/28/2008 |
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Gov. Blagojevich Announces over $18 Million in Park Development Grants Dollars to help fund 48 new park projects in northern Illinois SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $18.2 million in grants for dozens of projects at existing parks and development of new parks throughout northern Illinois. The funds will be used for 48 projects in northern Illinois, including land acquisition, construction of new trails and playgrounds, and the creation of new recreational opportunities including athletic fields and fishing piers. “These grants will provide open space and recreation opportunities in communities throughout the state,” Gov. Blagojevich said. “The great thing about this program is how state and local governments work together. People in local communities envision the projects and we work together with them to make them a reality.” “Whether it’s building playgrounds, pools, or park shelters, the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grants give so many kids in so many communities the opportunity to enjoy expanded recreational opportunities,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Acting Director Sam Flood said. “Expanding recreational opportunities for children and families is why these grants are so important to the fiber of each community.” “I'm pleased and appreciative that the Hoffman Estates Park District
was awarded an OSLAD grant for $325,000,” said State Representative Fred
Crespo (D-Streamwood). “I would like to thank Governor Blagojevich and
the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for their continued support
of OSLAD Grants. As a nineteen year resident of Hoffman Estates and
through my extensive involvement with the Hoffman Estates Park District I
can attest that the Park District and Black Bear Park will truly benefit,
as will my constituents.” “The OSLAD program is a tremendous program that assists communities in providing, preserving and developing open spaces, which benefit everyone,” said State Senator Pamela J. Althoff (R-Crystal Lake). “We’re extremely pleased that the Crystal Lake Park District received a grant to provide additional recreation facilities at Sterne’s Woods and Fen. This area is not only beneficial to the community but also an Illinois Nature Preserve.” “We understand how important Sunset Park is to Lake in the Hills and McHenry County and we’re extremely excited to have more OSLAD dollars entering the community,” said Sen. Althoff. “This park not only provides beautiful open space within the village and county but it also provides recreational, sporting and family opportunities for everyone. This park has been a goal of the village and we’re thrilled that we’ve been able to work with them to meet the needs and desires of the community.” “I am delighted to learn that Will County will be the recipient of over $1.7 million from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and their Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program fund (OSLAD). This funding will help enhance the parks, trails and recreational opportunities in Will County,” said Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi (D-Crest Hill). Money awarded each year for the OSLAD program is based on the conditions of the housing market and grants are solely funded through a percentage of the real estate transfer tax. The $25.1 million awarded throughout the state this year combined with the grantees’ minimum 50 percent share will result in more than $50.2 million of local acquisition and development projects to enhance the quality of life in Illinois. Northern Illinois Projects (D) BLOOMINGDALE PARK DISTRICT (DuPage County)
$295,000, to improve Lakeview Park on Broker Road. Project components
include a playground area, shelter, fishing pier, pathway improvements,
existing ball field upgrade, native landscaping, and parking. (Contact:
Steve Scholten, 630/529-3650) (A) CHICAGO, CITY OF (Cook County) $1,150,000, to
acquire 0.3 acres of land adjacent to (A) CLARENDON HILLS PARK DISTRICT (DuPage County)
$551,500, to acquire 2.38 acres on Western Avenue south of 55th Street.
Future development includes a playground, multi-purpose athletic field, a
walking path around a wooded portion of the property and parking.
(Contact: Donald Scheltens, 630/323-2626) (A) DEKALB COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT $384,200, to acquire 76 acres adjacent to Afton Forest Preserve on McGirr Road. The site includes a portion of Little Rock Creek and will be restored to include prairie, oak savannah and wetland and stream habitat. Future development includes a hiking trail, a picnic area, and parking. (Contact: Terry Hannan, 815/895-7191) (D) DEKALB PARK DISTRICT (DeKalb County) $125,000, to develop the 5-acre Devonaire Farms Park in western DeKalb. Facilities include a playground, half-court basketball court, shelter, a walking path, and landscaping. (Contact: Cynthia Capek, 815/758-6663) A) DOWNERS GROVE PARK DISTRICT (DuPage County)
$750,000, to acquire 4.9 acres on Walnut Avenue. Future development
includes two soccer fields, a shelter, looped walking trail, and parking.
(Contact: Dan Cermak, 630/963-1304) (D) EVANSTON, CITY OF (Cook County) $400,000, to redevelop Foster Field on Simpson Street. The playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball court, pathways and parking will be upgraded and new site furnishings will be installed. (Contact: Julia Carroll, 847/866-2936) (A) FORRESTON, VILLAGE OF (Ogle County) $133,500, to
acquire approximately 17.8 acres for the expansion of Warnken Park.
Future Phase I development includes a baseball field, ice rink, horseshoe
pits, a volleyball court, recreation path and concession/restroom
building. (Contact: Michael Harn, 815/938-2400) (D) FRANKFORT SQUARE PARK DISTRICT (Will County)
$400,000, to construct a small nature center, interpretive (habitat)
gardens, a wetland boardwalk, osprey nesting platforms, a fishing/boating
pier, stone shoreline wildlife observation and fishing platforms and a
park shelter at 55 acre Island Prairie Park on Braemar Lane. (Contact:
James Randall, 815/469-3524) (D) GRAYSLAKE PARK DISTRICT (Lake County) $400,000, to develop an additional 20 acres of land being donated as part of the new 95-acre Alleghany Community Park. Phase II development includes two additional ball fields and parking, a picnic shelter, two full basketball courts, two lacrosse fields, a JFL-size grid field, and a looped walking path. (Contact: Robert Lashbrook, 847/223-7529) (D) HAMPSHIRE TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT (Kane County)
$157,400, to develop the 3.1-acre Dorothy J. Schmidt Memorial Park in a
new subdivision south of Illinois Route 72. Development includes a
basketball court, two shelters, disc golf, a playground, a path system
with fitness stations, and a court game area with shuffleboard. (Contact:
Robert Whitehouse, 847/683-2690) (D) JOLIET PARK DISTRICT (Will County) $125,000, to
enhance the 30-acre Nowell Park on Mills Road. New development will
include a walking trail, large pavilion, sand play area, basketball
courts, and the resurfacing of two tennis courts. (Contact: Dominic
Egizio, 815-741-7277) (D) KENDALL COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT, $369,000,
to develop the 120-acre Jay Woods Preserve on Creek Road northwest of
Plano. Components include interpretive trails, a shelter and latrine,
prairie and woodland seeding, wetland restoration, and parking areas.
(Contact: Jason Pettit, 630/553-4131) (D) LAKE IN THE HILLS, VILLAGE OF (McHenry County) $400,000, to add facilities to Sunset Park on Miller Road. The project includes a youth football field and a softball field, a spray park, shelter, a loop exercise path, and interpretive signs at the existing wetland area. (Contact: Trudy Wakeman, 847/960-7461) (D) LAKE ZURICH, VILLAGE OF (Lake County) $239,200, to
renovate Bristol Trails Park on Bristol Trail Road. Improvements include
a circular basketball court, new playground, picnic gazebo, a new walking
trail with fitness stations, and a parking area. (Contact: John Dixon,
847/438-5141) (A) MCHENRY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT, $750,000, to acquire a 57-acre parcel on Crystal Lake Road in eastern McHenry County. Future development includes trails with interpretive signs. (Contact: John Kremer, 815/338-6223) (D) MIDLOTHIAN PARK DISTRICT (Cook County) $326,800, to redevelop Bremen Heights Park on 144th Street. The project includes a multi-use sports field, multi-use trail with fitness stations, a playground, a new park pavilion, renovated parking, and security lighting. (Contact: Evelyn Gleason, 708/371-6191) (D) MORTON GROVE PARK DISTRICT (Cook County) $400,000, to develop the 8-acre Frank Hren Park on Oak Park Avenue. The site will be developed with soccer fields, a restroom/picnic shelter/storage facility, a t-ball/kickball area, a walking path with three fitness stations, native prairie plants, and a track and field sprint area. (Contact: Jeff Fougerousse, 847/965-1200) (D) NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT (DuPage County) $400,000, to add facilities to 19-acre Winding Creek Park off Bailey Road in south central Naperville. The project includes the renovation of two existing ball fields and the playground, expansion of the parking lot, stabilization of the pond/creek bank, additional native plants, a soccer field, shelter, restroom building, a multi-use trail, and a nature overlook with interpretive signs. (Contact: Mindy Munn, 630/848-3514) (D) OAK PARK, PARK DISTRICT OF (Cook County) $400,000,
to renovate and expand recreation amenities at 3.6-acre Longfellow Park on
Adams Street. Proposed development includes new playground equipment, a
new and expanded water splash pad area, interior pathways and a full court
basketball area, renovated soccer-ball field area, restrooms, and park
landscaping with interpretive signs. (Contact: Gary Balling, 708/383-0002)
(D) PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT (Will County) $400,000, to develop Clow Stephens Community Park on Lily Cache Road. Project components include the construction of an entrance and parking area, a restroom facility, two playground areas, site trails, a dog park, shelter, landscaping, prairie restoration, and a community garden area. (Contact: Larry Newton, 815/436-8812) (D) ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT (Winnebago County)
$192,500, to develop Linden Pointe Park south of Bypass Route 20.
Facilities include a playground, softball field, a multi-purpose field, a
shelter with water and electric, and access paths. (Contact: Tim Dimke,
815/987-8800) (D) SOUTH ELGIN, VILLAGE OF (Kane County) $225,000, for Phase II development of Thornwood Park on McDonald Road. Park elements include a soccer field, skate park, trails with fitness stations, native prairie plants and landscaping. (Contact: Jim Reuter, 847/622-0003) (D) SYCAMORE PARK DISTRICT (DeKalb County) $300,000, to develop 28-acre Larson Park in northwest Sycamore along the south branch of the Kishwaukee River. The project includes a playground, shelter, boardwalk and fishing pier, multi-purpose path, an outdoor environmental component with dedicated learning pods, prairie restoration, stream bank restoration, and parking. (Contact: David Peek, 815/895-3365) (D) WILL COUNTY, FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF,
$400,000, for the initial development of Rock Run Rookery Preserve off of
Channahon and Youngs Roads. Phase I development will provide the Youngs
Road access and will include parking, a shelter, latrine, drinking
fountain, trail, fishing areas, and small boat access area. (Contact:
Marcy DeMauro, 815/727-8700) 71 projects are being funded statewide through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program facilitated through IDNR. Of those, 12 will result in the purchase of new land and 59 will focus on outdoor recreation development. They include 22 development projects for facilities that promote environmental and wetland studies, 19 projects that will provide initial recreation development of park sites for their respective communities, seven development projects that will include water play features know as “spraygrounds,” 31 development projects that will provide new playground equipment, and 14 projects that will create water based recreation by constructing access to lakes, rivers or streams.
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