This week, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced nearly $60 million in grant funding is being awarded for park districts across the state to help communities acquire and/or develop land for recreational opportunities. After working with local park districts in the 70th House District, State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) is pleased to announce that Genoa Township Park District and Hampshire Township Park District have been awarded funding for the latest round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants.
“I’m very pleased that the Genoa and Hampshire Park Districts have both received funding to improve outdoor recreation opportunities in our communities,” said Keicher. “These are growing communities that will benefit greatly from this funding, and I look forward to seeing their park projects come to fruition.”
The OSLAD program is a state-financed grant program that provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and open space. Funding assistance covers up to 50% (100% for distressed communities) of approved project costs. Grant awards up to $1,725,000.00 are available for acquisition projects, while development/renovation projects are limited to a $600,000 grant maximum. Keicher submitted letters of support to IDNR for Genoa and Hampshire to aid their efforts to obtain funding.
The Genoa Township Park District is being awarded $102,800 to help the park district obtain 10 acres of land adjacent to their main park, Chamberlain Park. The land will be developed as open recreational space, and plans may include features such as walking paths, athletic fields, playgrounds, and sports courts.
“The Genoa Township Park District is very excited to be able to obtain funding from the OSLAD Grant Program and to be able to expand our Main Park, Chamberlain Park and be able to offer even more recreational opportunities for the residents of Genoa,” said Executive Director Paul Bafia. “We are also very thankful to Representative Jeff Keicher for his help and support for helping us obtain this grant funding.”
The Hampshire Township Park District is being awarded $600,000 to redevelop Seyller Park. The redevelopment project includes updating various facilities, some of which are decades old, and includes plans for a new playground, amphitheater, disc golf course, skate park, ballfield backstop, ADA walking path connections and parking expansion.
“This year is our 75th Anniversary and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have been awarded an OSLAD Grant for Seyller Park, Hampshire Township’s first park,” said Executive Director Laura Schraw. “Grants are instrumental in building and updating our parks and facilities. We would like to thank Representative Keicher for his continued support of the Hampshire Township Park District.”
For more information about the OSLAD grant program, click here.
Rep. Keicher serves the 70th District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Kane, and McHenry Counties.