Prairie State Wire

Eight communities in Illinois will receive nearly $2.4 million in grants to improve outdoor recreational spaces, as announced by Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These funds are sourced from the National Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and will be administered by IDNR.

The LWCF program is designed to cover up to half of a project's costs. Combined with local matching funds, it is expected to support more than $5.4 million in park land acquisitions across the state. "IDNR is excited to play a small role in helping these exciting outdoors projects become reality," said Natalie Phelps Finnie, Director of IDNR. "Conserving and protecting our land, water, and recreational opportunities is critical ensuring future generations have access to nature and the outdoors."

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 was created to help preserve and develop outdoor recreation facilities. It receives its funding from federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf.

The grant recipients include:

- City of Calumet City ($375,000) aims to expand Blues Water Run by acquiring 9.27 acres.

- Campton Township ($750,000) plans to acquire Goldenstein Farm, creating a large habitat corridor.

- Elba-Salem Park District ($10,000) intends to add 4 acres for future recreational use.

- Genoa Township Park District ($102,800) will expand existing parkland with a new 10-acre parcel.

- Village of Minooka ($125,000) seeks to extend Veterans Park with an additional 0.95 acres.

- Plainfield Township Park District ($200,000) plans trail connectivity along the DuPage River.

- Wauconda Park District ($750,000) will acquire marina property on Bangs Lake for public access.

- Wheaton Park District ($60,000) aims for a small expansion at Lincoln Marsh.

These investments highlight efforts across Illinois communities to enhance local parks and recreational facilities through strategic land acquisitions.