Governor Pat Quinn has announced the awarding of $16.1 million for the FY 2014 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants, which included a $400,000 grant to the Homewood Flossmoor District for improvements at Dolphin Lake Park.
“Parks and outdoor recreation activities help make Illinois a great place to live and work,” Governor Quinn stated. “These projects will create jobs, allow for more families to get active outdoors and promote healthy lifestyles.”
The grant will give the Homewood Flossmoor Park District the ability to complete desired improvements to Dolphin Lake Park. The improvements include ADA access to all areas of the park, a large shelter, walking paths, a playground area, improved parking, outdoor classroom, pond overlook, fishing stations, and bioswales throughout the park. The total project cost is $925,000, with $400,000 coming from the grant.
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The two bioswales will be landscaped with native vegetation and will filter stormwater from the parking lot and other areas along the pond. Interpretive signs will be on site to provide educational information about the bioswales, wetlands and pond.
“OSLAD grants help park districts provide more places for people to stay active, relax and enjoy the great outdoors,” said Debbie Kopas, Executive Director of Homewood Flossmoor Parks. “These are essential investments in local communities and we are thankful to Governor Quinn for this opportunity."
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The projects are funded through the state’s OSLAD program and administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Funding recipients are required to contribute at least half of the total project cost, which means that the announced $16.5 million investment will generate more than $33 million of local park development projects and land acquisition across the state.
“This is a great day for Homewood Flossmoor Park District residents,” stated Bob Haderlein, Park Board President. “We’re excited to get going on the project that combines funding not only from the park district, but also from the State of Illinois.”
Dolphin Lake Park is located along Governors Highway and 183rd Street.
For more information about the Dolphin Lake improvements plan or the Homewood Flossmoor Park District, please call 708-957-0300 or visit ww.hfparks.com.
