Glenview Park District Awarded Over $700,000 In Grants

GLENVIEW, IL — The Illinois Department of National Resources has awarded a pair of grants worth more than $700,000 to the Glenview Park District. The grants will allow the district to do more with the funding it received from last year's $17 million bond referendum, according to a release.

Gov. JB Pritkzer this month announced the winners of a combined $28 million in matching grants to 87 Illinois park district projects as part of the 2019 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program, as well as two federal grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund also managed by IDNR.

With $400,000 in state money set to head toward the Wagner Farm master plan and $309,200 in federal funds designated for The Grove land acquisition, Glenview was one of only two park districts in the state to receive two open spaces grants and second only to the Chicago Park District in total matching funds awarded.

“This is very exciting news," said Todd Price, the superintendent of leisure services at the Glenview Park District. "With the help of state and federal dollars, the money we received from the referendum will go even further."

District representatives, including Price, Executive Director Michael McCarty, Wagner Farm Director Jonathan Kuester and The Grove Director Lorin Ottlinger, delivered presentations last month in Springfield before a panel of 12 IDNR board members in charge of selecting the winners, according to the release.

“Investments in Illinois’ local parks makes it easier for families and recreation enthusiasts to enjoy our state’s beauty and help their communities thrive,” Pritzker said. “Parks projects will also create jobs, providing a boost to local economic development efforts in dozens of communities and spurring additional investment throughout the state.”

The state grant for Historic Wagner Farm will help fund improvements to paths for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and increased visitor flow, the district said. The money will also be used toward creating a "multi-generational 'Playscape'" with fun activities and an educational component.

Glenview's neighbors also received grants under the state OSLAD program. The Northfield Park District was awarded $400,000 toward improvements to Clarkson Park, while the Golf Maine Park District was granted $200,000 to spend on redeveloping Dee Park in unincorporated Des Plaines.

Since 1987, the OSLAD program has invested over $419 million in 1,765 local projects. It is funded through a percentage of the state's real estate transfer tax. Under both grant programs, park districts must match the money dollar for dollar.

UPDATE: Park District's $670,000 Property Acquisition To Expand The Grove