The DeKalb Park District has announced that it has been selected to receive a $400,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois. The OSLAD grant funding will be used to expand the recreational opportunities within Prairie Park.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) awarded a total of $36 million to 67 communities for local park development projects as part of the latest round of OSLAD grants.

“Since I became Governor, it’s been my mission to build stronger, healthier communities across Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Through the OSLAD program, we’re bringing that vision to life by awarding over $36 million to local park projects, expanding green spaces and creating new recreational opportunities for all.”

Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. It’s become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since its establishment, OSLAD has awarded $640 million for park projects throughout Illinois.

“We are very excited to enhance Prairie Park with this plan which will provide more disc golf holes and also open up a large section of the property that many people may not know about,” said Board President, David Castro.

The Prairie Park Expansion Project will include 9 new disc golf holes that will be added to the current 9hole course, a new 0.3 mile paved loop trail to the west side of the park along with a fishing outcrop and river overlook, a new picnic shelter and gaming area near the intersection of Clifford Drive and Glidden Avenue, as well as a woodland understory restoration to approximately 7 acres of timber.

“The award for Prairie Park is another successful collaboration between the residents of DeKalb, the DeKalb Park District, and Upland Design, which has brought in over 1.9 million dollars in grant funding for park improvements in the last 5 years,” said Superintendent of Parks, Mat Emken.

The DeKalb Park District provided match funding, contributing an additional $400,000 to this project.

To stay up to date on our current projects, please visit dekalbparkdistrict.com/capital-improvementprojects or call (815) 758-7756.