The largest park development project among those announced for Illinois by Gov. Pat Quinn was $1.4 million for Park 553 in the South Lawndale community. Project components will include two artificial turf soccer fields, two natural turf baseball/softball fields, two natural turf all-purpose athletic fields, lighted walking paths, a playground with a spray feature, a skate park, a basketball court, a parking area, a natural area, athletic field lighting, and amenities like benches, drinking fountains, landscaping and utilities.
Credit: Chicago Park District/SmithGreenJJR

Governor Pat Quinn announced a $15.3 million investment in local park projects across Illinois on May 11, funded through the state's Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program (OSLAD).

The program will fund 45 projects statewide, including picnic shelters, playgrounds, ball fields and trails, as well as wetland enhancements, prairie restoration and bioswales within local parks. The funding will allow some communities to purchase land to be used for future green space.

The initiative is designed to expand outdoor recreation and open space in communities throughout Illinois.

"Whether you are in a big city or small town, local parks let families across Illinois enjoy nature and spend time together," Governor Quinn said in a press release. "These projects improve parks throughout the state and expand green space in dozens of communities, creating jobs and making our state a better place to live and work."

Recipients of OSLAD funding are responsible for contributing at least half of the total project cost. The 15.3 million awarded statewide this year, combined with matching funds from the grantees, will total more than $30.6 million of local park development projects and land acquisition in Illinois. The program began in 1986, and has provided about $362.5 million for 1,596 local park projects in Illinois, aside from those projects just announced.

Project highlights include $1.4 million to the Chicago Park District for the initial development of Park 553 on South Sacramento Avenue, which will include several sport fields, walking paths, playgrounds and many other park amenities. Another $1,003,000 will go to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County for acquiring and restoring a 28.15-acre parcel north of Powderhorn Lake in the Calumet region.

A list of this year's OSLAD grant recipients in Cook and DuPage Counties and project descriptions is below. For a full list of projects awarded throughout the state visit dnr.illinois.gov.