Gov. Quinn announces $15.3M for local parks and open space projects

Includes $400,000 for Lincoln Park District swimming pool

[May 14, 2013]  DECATUR -- On Saturday, Gov. Pat Quinn announced a $15.3 million investment in local park projects across Illinois, including $400,000 to the Lincoln Park District. As part of the governor's agenda to ensure that no child is left inside, the projects are funded through the state's Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program. 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," Quinn said. "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."

The announcement includes 45 projects across the state, including picnic shelters and 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.

"Local park districts and forest preserve districts, and outdoor recreation agencies, are our partners in offering families and children places to help make sure we achieve our goal of leaving no child inside in Illinois," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller. "The investment of these funds for park projects has the added benefit of supporting and creating jobs in cities and towns across the state."

The recipients of the funding from the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program are responsible for contributing at least half of the total project cost. The $15.3 million awarded statewide this year, combined with the grantees' matching funds, will result in more than $30.6 million of local park development projects and land acquisition in Illinois. The program began in 1986 and has already provided approximately $362.5 million for 1,596 local park projects in Illinois in addition to the projects announced last week.

A list of this year's grant recipients in central Illinois and project descriptions is below.

Fiscal 2013 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development projects in central Illinois:

(All are development projects.)

• The Lincoln Park District in Logan County will receive $400,000 to construct a new swimming facility to replace the district's only pool, which was closed in 2012. The new facility will have a six-lane lap pool, a zero-depth toddler pool, a water slide, and concession and mechanical building. The existing restroom and shower facilities will be retained.

• The Decatur Park District of Macon County will receive $400,000 for the Phase I redevelopment of Nelson Park. Project components include the renovation of parts of a large pavilion and a small pavilion, development of a fitness trail with exercise stations, a mountain biking trail, fishing pier, restoration of 10 acres with native prairie plants and habitat improvement, a bioswale to reduce soil erosion, and interpretive signage.

• The village of Gifford in Champaign County will receive $40,700 to replace outdated playground equipment at Roessler Park. The park is on the southern edge of Gifford.

• The Peoria Park District is receiving $217,500 to develop the Tawny Oaks Nature Center on a parcel adjacent to Singing Woods, a state dedicated nature preserve. The site is north of Peoria, off Route 88. In addition to the nature center, the project includes a shelter, trails, interpretive stations, a permeable paver parking lot and 11 acres of various plantings, including a turfgrass alternative site, hill prairie mix area, a forbs nursery and a shortgrass prairie area.

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

[Text from file received from the Illinois governor's office]