Four Tri-County communities are getting a total of more than $1.7 million in state grant funding for park district projects.
The awards are among $55.2 million announced by Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as part of the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Program (OSLAD).
The program awarded grants to 100 local park projects across the state. A portion of the funding was set aside for economically distressed communities, resulting in 29 underserved locations receiving $17.3 million in grants.
The Peoria Park District and the Fon du Lac Park District in East Peoria were each awarded $600,000.
Peoria Park District Executive Director Emily Cahill said their grant will fund improvements at the 18-acre Markwoodlands Park next to Mark Bills Middle School on Frostwood Parkway.
Other grant awards in the Tri-County area include $376,250 for the Elmwood Park District in Peoria County, and $168,500 for the Village of Spring Bay in Woodford County.
“Since I became Governor, it’s been my mission to build stronger, healthier communities across Illinois,” Pritzker said in a news release. “Through the OSLAD program, we’re bringing that vision to life by awarding over $55.2 million to local park projects, expanding green spaces and creating new recreational opportunities for all.”