Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced Monday $55.2 million in grants to support 100 park projects across the state, with several suburban municipalities and park districts receiving a portion of the funds.
The grants come from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program, according to a news release from the governor’s office and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This cost-sharing initiative partners the state with local districts to fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects, the release states.
The program has awarded $640 million to support park projects statewide since its inception in 1986, according to the release.
Several south and southwest suburbs received funding for park projects, including $600,000 for the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District, $400,000 for the Midlothian Park District, $600,000 for the Oak Lawn Park District, $300,000 for the village of Grant Park, $600,000 for the village of Lemont, $600,000 for the village of Matteson, $600,000 for the village of Orland Park, $600,000 for the Worth Park District and $600,000 for the New Lenox Community Park District.
In the western suburbs, the Burr Ridge Park District received $425,100, the Park District of Franklin Park secured $255,200, and the Park Districts of La Grange and Oak Park each received $600,000.
Through the open space grant program, the state typically covers up to 50% of approved project costs, with up to 90% for distressed communities, while the local government agency is responsible for the remaining portion, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The program is funded through a percentage of the real estate transfer tax.
This was the third consecutive year funding was set aside for economically distressed communities, with 29 underserved locations receiving $17.3 million from the state grant program, according to the release.
Once awarded the grant money, the project must be completed within two years, according to the state natural resource agency.
Several park districts applied for funds to undertake large-scale renovations aimed at attracting more visitors to lesser-known or growing parks, while also making the facilities more accessible and engaging for all age groups.
The Oak Lawn Park District will use the funds for renovations at Lake Shore Park, at 96th Street and East Shore Drive, according to Justin Waters, marketing manager for the district.
Waters said the park, often overlooked due to its location along a busy street, will undergo a major upgrade to attract more visitors.
“It’s really exciting,” Waters said. “This is one of those projects that we were hoping that we would get because of all the different things that we can do, and it’s kind of tucked away up one of our busiest streets in town. So it’s going to be great to be able to to get people to this park, because not everybody knows about it.”
Waters said the district plans to renovate nearly the entire park, which now features two playgrounds, a half basketball court, tennis courts with pickleball lines, and the Story Walk, a scenic pathway with pages from a children’s book displayed on signs. The park is also home to the Little White Building and the Dream Center, which hosts recreational programs.
Planned renovations include a pollinator-themed playground featuring a butterfly garden, two rock climbing boulders for different age groups and a zip line, Waters said.
“The playground itself has really big flowers that almost look like they’re growing out of the playground. So it’s all kind of the theme that we’re going along with,” he said.
The district also wants to add a new playground plaza with colorful seating, resurfaced tennis and pickleball courts, a permanent bags area, a fitness zone and a painted games area. The basketball court will be redesigned with hoops of varying sizes to accommodate all ages, with a focus on providing more options for individuals with disabilities, Waters said.
Waters said work is expected to begin next year.
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District plans to use funds to revitalize Irwin Park, off Highland Avenue in Homewood, according to a district new release.
The upgrades aim to enhance the park, which hosts many of the district’s special events and programs, by adding amenities such as a new playground, a rain garden with pollinator plants, a story walk and seating areas, according to the release. These improvements seek to make Irwin Park a more inclusive space for visitors of all ages, the park district said.
Amy Maher, marketing and public relations supervisor for the New Lenox Community Park District, said the district will use funds to upgrade Sharon’s Bay Park on Westwind Drive. The park, which serves about 859 homes and is located near the Crystal Springs, Blue Stone Bay, Quail’s Roost and Wellington subdivisions, is outdated and in need of new amenities, she said.
Some of the improvements will include adding a high school regulation basketball court with bleachers, a renovated volleyball court and a tween social hub. While plans for the hub are still in development, Maher said the district envisions a Gaga Ball pit, foosball or ping pong tables anchored to the ground and a solar charging station, designed to engage older children and teenagers.
“(It) will kind of just encourage that middle age group who’s kind of aging out of parks, but needs a place to to gather without getting into trouble,” she said.
Maher said the district hopes to have the project completed by spring 2026.
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