State Senator Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia) is proud to announce $3 million in state grants have been awarded to five separate communities throughout the 47th District through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisition and Development or OSLAD program.
“The OSLAD Program has served a tremendous role in connecting underserved communities to the great outdoors and it’s great to see a major investment throughout the district,” said Senator Anderson. “Whether it is modernizing our parks, or revitalizing an empty space, it’s crucial for small communities to have a place to gather and connect in nature.”
This year, $54.9 million in grants were awarded to 111 projects across the entire state. The OSLAD program was established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986 and is a cost sharing program between state and local governments to help fund land acquisition and development for outdoor recreation.
Projects in the 47th District this year include:
- City of Abingdon – $600,000 – Improvements to Legion Park including the installation of a 4,400 square foot splash pad with nine water features for children of all ages. A new 600-foot bike path to learn correct bicycle riding practices. The addition of ten picnic tables, 2,350 square feet of sidewalks, and three designated areas for additional playground equipment.
- City of Dallas City – $600,000 – The proposed project will add a 5′ wide ADA accessible walking path to the City of Dallas City’s Riverview Park, along with a foot bridge to allow the path to encircle the entire park. There will also be ADA parking and signage and ADA passing lanes along the path.
- City of Nauvoo – $600,000 – The removal of an old basketball court, replaced by a new basketball/pickleball court. An addition of ADA accessible playground equipment with an ADA sidewalk and lighting. New construction an ADA accessible family restroom, parking spaces and signage. The installation of a new drinking fountain that includes a pet fountain and a pet waste station.
- City of Toulon – $600,000 – The installation of a splash pad, resurfacing of the half basketball court and adding an adjustable hoop for multiple ages. Updates to the full-size basketball court into a multi-use court to offer basketball, tennis and pickleball. The installation of fencing, sign language panels, new ADA playground equipment for ages 6-12, and exercise equipment for all ages.
- Kewanee Park District – $600,000 – The design and installation of a splashpad system that is unique, aesthetically pleasing, and safe for children ages 12 and under at Liberty Park. Work is to include the design of a splash pad, construction, installation of commercial grade splash pad equipment and surface as specified as well as bathhouse and all utilities required.
For a full list of projects across the state, click here.
***Courtesy of the Office of Senator Neil Anderson***
