Of the $6.4 million in new funding for Illinois parks, $1.4 million goes to the Chicago Park District.
Photo: LASN editor Steve Kelly

On May 13, 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced a $15.3 million investment in local parks across the state, including $6.4 million for projects in Cook and DuPage counties. The projects are funded through the state's Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program (OSLAD).

Project highlights include $1.4 million to the Chicago Park District for the initial development of Park 553 on South Sacramento Avenue in the South Lawndale community. The park will include several sport fields, walking paths, playgrounds and other park amenities. In addition, $1,003,000 will go to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to acquire a 28.15-acre parcel north of Powderhorn Lake in the Calumet Region to be restored.

Statewide, the OSLAD money will go to 45 projects, including picnic shelters, playgrounds, ball fields and trails, plus 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.

"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," said Illinois Governor Pat Quinn OSLAD funding recipients are responsible for contributing at least half of the total project cost. The program began in 1986, and, not including today's announced projects, has provided approximately $362.5 million for 1,596 local park projects in Illinois.

For a full list of projects awarded throughout the state visit dnr.illinois.gov.