New Lenox Park District Receives $400K Grant For Park

NEW LENOX, IL — A New Lenox park will be developed with help from a grant from the state. According to a release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in February, Governor JB Pritzker announced $28 million in grants for 87 local park projects throughout the state, including in New Lenox.

The grants are through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program and projects will help communities acquire open space and develop and improve recreational facilities throughout Illinois, according to a release.

In New Lenox, the New Lenox Community Park District received a $400,000 grant for the development of Leigh Creek South Park adjacent to Heather Glen which is where the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association building is located. The adjacent 3.6-acre site is in the Leigh Creek South subdivision.

The park district said the project will be over $1 million. The district has to match the $400k grant from the state, and the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association has raised almost $200,000 for the project.

According to the park district, the amenities planned at Leigh Creek South Park at Heather Glenwill help to complement the existing Lincolnway Special Recreation Association facility. The new park will have a parking lot with 50+ spots, an asphalt trail around the perimeter of the park, and several shelters. There will be a main shelter at the center of the site, and two smaller shelters to the north and south.

The center will include bocce ball courts, bag boards, and near the center will also be a universal playground. Other amenities will include fitness equipment, a bankshot area, basketball courts and more.

The park district hopes to go out to bid on the project near the end of summer, and possibly start construction in the fall, weather permitting. The anticipated completed date of the project would be late spring or early summer of 2021.

“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 in a release. “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.”