Nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities according to Illinois State Governor JB Pritzker. Funding was set aside for economically distressed communities resulting in 32 underserved locations also receiving $18.7 million in grants from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development or OSLAD program.
Harristown, a village in Macon County has 1,300 residents, one-third of whom are youth under the age of 19, but there are no public parks or playgrounds for children and families. Harristown has received a $150,000 grant and the village board of trustees plans to build a park and playground that will have a pavilion, sitting areas, walking paths, and more.
In Christian County, Taylorville will be receiving $140,000 which Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry says will go towards remodels and work being done at the Marina. The Park District has also received $600,000. Regional Radio News reached out to the Park District but has not yet been told officially what the money will go towards. In Fayette County, Vandalia will receive $600,000. In Macoupin County, Modesto will receive $600,000. In Montgomery County, Litchfield will receive $300,000.
As with all of the OSLAD grants, these grants will have to be matched in order to receive the funds.
