Governor Pritzker announced that 111 park and recreation projects throughout Illinois were awarded $54.9 million in grants to acquire land and develop recreational opportunities for local communities. This is the second year in a row that funds were set aside for economically distressed communities to receive grants from the competitive Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program.
The Kewanee Park District was awarded $600,000 from the OSLAD grant to use towards a splash pad in Liberty Park. Parks Director Andy Dwyer said the splash pad will be a free amenity to the community and will likely be open from May through September, as long as temperatures are above 70 degrees. Until grant funds are released from the state, there is no start date for the installation of the splash pad. The pool in Northeast Park will remain open during the summer as usual. The splash pad is an exciting addition to Kewanee Parks, and Director Dwyer and the Park District Board are considering options for the splash pad that are in the best interest of the community. Such as activators to run water only when people are present and a recirculation tank to conserve water use. “We are going to do what is best for the community,” said Director Andy Dwyer. Installing restrooms in Liberty Park is still on the table but will likely be a project in the future because of the cost. The Kewanee Parks Department received Federal Grant Management Certification a few years ago and has received two federal grants for Liberty Park in the last year: new playground equipment and now the splash pad.
The City of Toulon also received $600,000 to renovate the city park. The renovation includes a splash pad, resurfacing the half basketball court and adding an adjustable hoop for use by multiple age groups, updating the full-size basketball court into a multi-use court for basketball, tennis, and pickleball, installing a sign language panel and disabled-accessible playground equipment, and adding exercise equipment for all ages.
The OSLAD Program was established by the Illinnois Gereral Assemby in 1986 as a cost-sharing program between state and local governments to help communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. It’s become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since it was established, OSLAD has awarded nearly $585 million for park projects throughout Illinois (including the awards announced today).
“Since day one as Governor, it’s been my mission to support the health and well-being of Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With funding from the OLSAD program, municipalities across Illinois will have the opportunity to expand and improve local neighborhood parks through sport and recreational space, plants, playgrounds, and more. All across Illinois, we’re enhancing our state’s natural beauty and creating safer, healthier, and happier communities.”
“OSLAD is one of the state’s most significant grant programs. For more than 30 years, it has raised the quality of life in communities throughout Illinois,” said Peter Murphy, president and CEO of the Illinois Association of Park Districts. “We commend Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly for their strong support and continued investment in local park and recreation projects that create opportunities for Illinois youth.”
“The OSLAD Program has served a tremendous role in connecting underserved communities to the great outdoors, and it’s great to see a major investment throughout the 47th District,” said State Senator Neil Anderson of Andalusia, whose district includes five economically distressed communities that will receive OSLAD grants. “Whether it is modernizing our parks, or revitalizing an empty space, it’s crucial for small communities to have a place to gather and connect in nature.”
