Buffalo Grove Park Will Receive $400K For Renovations: Pritzker

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Money for renovations at Prairie Grove Park have been granted, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The park will receive $400,000 as part of $30.3 million in grants approved for 87 parks throughout Illinois.

Pritzker said Friday the grant money program is designed for communities to acquire open space and develop and improve recreational facilities throughout Illinois.

“Investments in our local parks are investments in our communities,” Pritzker said in a news release. “Park projects don’t just create jobs and boost local economic development — they open the gateway for a healthier, happier Illinois. Every family in our state deserves nearby access to outdoor public spaces where they can gather with their friends and neighbors — and enjoy some sunshine, too.”

The grants announced Friday are through the state’s Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. OSLAD grants can provide up to one-half of a project’s funds and, when combined with the investment of local matching funds, will support more than $56 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

“Parks are vital to the health of a community, and park districts ensure operations are functional and run smoothly,” State Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) said. “By making improvements to parks in Buffalo Grove and Waukegan, we are supporting the overall well-being of our residents.”

The OSLAD program began in 1987 and has invested $433.5 million in 1,816 local park projects. The program receives dedicated funding from a percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax.