Legal/Legislative Scene $12.2 Million in Illinois Grants Replace Weak Federal Commitment by Peter M. Murphy IAPD General Counsel

A total of 81 projects in communities of all sizes will be funded through the grants. One-third of the projects serve communities with less than 10,000 residents.

Fourteen acquisition and 67 development projects will be funded by the grants. The grant money comes from state Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) funds—which were established through the legislative efforts of the Illinois Association of Park Districts—and $50, 000 in federal Land and Water Conservation Funds (LAWCON).

Thirteen of the development projects will create new parks for Illinois communities; 34 others will provide new playground equipment to meet updated safety and access standards. The grants add or improve more than 900 acres of local park land.

DNR officials received 135 applications requesting $19 million in grant funds. More than $58 million has been awarded for local park projects since the OSLAD program was initiated in 1986. Since its formation in 1965, LAWCON has provided nearly $134 million for state and local park projects in Illinois.

Maximum grant awards are $400,000 for acquisition projects and $200,000 for development projects.

Park districts and forest preserves interested in applying for grants for the coming year should contact the IAPD office or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Grant Administration, 524 S. Second Street, Room 315, Springfield, IL 62701-1787 or call 217/782-7481.

A list of grant recipients, funding amounts and project descriptions follows.

Addison Park District $200,000 to renovate Centennial Park with a new accessible playground, basketball and tennis courts, landscaping, additional parking and fishing pier on the park pond.

Boone County Conservation District $85,000 to acquire 77 acres of land along both sides of the Kishwaukee River, to create a preservation and recreation corridor downstream from Belvidere. Future development will include a walking/hiking trail, bike path connector trail, parking area, restroom and canoe launch.

Carol Stream Park District/Village of Carol Stream $200,000 to develop a 20-acre site with five soccer fields, a community playground, shelter and wanning house with restrooms, winter sports activities, roller hockey court, basketball, interpretive areas, sand volleyball and key extension of the community bike trail system.

Chicago Park District $50,000 to acquire two vacant lots north of Anderson Playground for park expansion and development This is a cooperative effort between the Chicago Board of Education and the Chicago Park District to create a school-park campus by combining adjoining Anderson Playground, Phillips High School and Mayo Elementary School properties.

Chicago Park District $200,000 to develop Chicago Origins Park, a 2-acre site on Ashland Avenue at the Chicago River near the communities of Bridgeport and Pilsen, which formerly housed a gas station. The park will interpret the 19th century layout of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Included in the project is a new sidewalk along Old Levee Street with an inscription marking the towns, locks and the old grain-elevator footprint on the canal route. The site will include a garden of grains as an allegory to the grid of farm fields in Illinois.

Cook County Forest Preserve District $200,000 to initiate development at Bremen Grove Preserve with a picnic shelter, paved parking for 120 cars and a paved bicycle trail connection from the proposed parking area to the existing 18-mile Tinley Creek Bicycle Trail system. The 190-acre project site is located in the Tinley Creek Greenway in southwest Cook County.

Fox Valley Park District (Aurora area) $50,000 for the outdoor development of McCullough Park with a senior game area, an ac-

10 * Illinois Parks & Recreation * November/December 1996

Frankfort Park District $200,000 to develop a 50-acre tract of land for use as an outdoor sports complex and community park consisting of a softball field, baseball field, soccer fields and parking areas.

Frankfort Square Park District $200,000 to establish 35 acres of park land to be designated Union Creek Community Park. Improvements will include a multi-use path, a pedestrian bridge, picnic pavilion, restroom and storage facility, picnic tables, grills, six recreational ball fields, outdoor ice rink, two sand volleyball courts, two soccer fields, signage and trees.

Freeport Park District $77,500 to rehabilitate four playground sites. The new equipment will meet current safety and accessibility standards including hard surface pathways.

Geneva Park District $200,000 to develop Phase I of Peck Farm Park with nature center components consisting of more than 1 mile of interpretive trails with signage and habitat restoration, five outdoor "classrooms," picnic area and overlook tower, conversion of existing farm structures into an interpretive facility, parking lot and entrance drive and wetland hydrology restoration. Development will also include community recreation components of two soccer fields, a playground, roller hockey, and warming house for skating and cross-country skiing.

Glencoe Park District $200,000 to renovate Lakefront Park on Lake Michigan. Park improvements will include renovation of the beach house, installation of a new playground area, and pier and terrace improvements.

Hanover Park Park District $200,000 to assist with the construction of the Seafari Springs Aquatic Center, a 11, 235-square-foot pool with a zero depth edge, water play features and support mechanical facilities on a 6.5-acre site.

Highland Park Park District $200,000 to construct a pool facility to include a zero depth pool/plunge pool, six-lane lap pool, children's spray play pool and bathhouse. The city of Highland Park will pay for pool construction and the park district will provide the land for this cooperative project

Hoffman Estates Park District $200,000 to further develop the 26-acre Kelley Park with new recreational elements consisting of a tennis court, jogging and walking path, sand volleyball court, lighted ice skating rink, an all weather shelter with restrooms and a cross-country ski trail. In addition, the district will add two ballfields, a soccer/football field, and field lighting.

Kane County Forest Preserve District $387,500 to purchase 90.53 acres of woodland swamp adjacent to the Illinois Prairie Path in Aurora. The area is home to more than 130 woodland, wetland, and prairie plant species. Development of the site will include the construction of trails and interpretive facilities and the restoration of the degraded wetlands, habitat enhancement of the existing Swamp White Oak community, the native prairie and wet meadow.

Kankakee Valley Park District $82,500 to restore Washington Park in Kankakee by overlaying the basketball and tennis courts; establishing a roller blade hockey area, a bermed area for ice skating, landscaping, fencing and installing new playground equipment with accessible surfacing. Plans also include a walking trail around the park.

Lake County Forest Preserve District $200,000 to construct 1.02 miles of trails from Grand Avenue to Washington Street in the Village of GurneeGurnee. The proposed trail is part of the Lake County Forest Preserve's designated 33-mile Des Plaines River Trail.

Macomb Park District $99,400 to continue prairie restoration with associated trails, day use areas, observation areas and platforms at Lakeview Nature Area. Restoration includes the construction of a trail connecting the grassland, arboretum, mature forest and wetland areas with appropriate signage. Also included is the design and construction of a combination nature and visitors center and three shelters for picnic and small program uses.

Macon County Conservation District $105,200 to further develop about 4 acres of the 1, 300 acre Rock Springs Center west of Decatur. Development includes construction of a playground structure, an interpretive shelter with exhibits and restrooms, sidewalks and landscaping. Also, an extension of the recently completed Rock Springs/Fairview Park Bike Trail will connect the circa 1860 Homestead Prairie Farm and the picnic playground area with the existing trail.

Metamora Park District $200,000 to assist in the redevelopment of a 2-acre facility involving main pool rehabilitation, a new kiddie pool, instructional pool, pavilion, picnic tables, playground equipment, sand and sod volleyball courts and parking lot reconstruction.

Morton Grove Park District $200,000 to redevelop the 7-acre National Park to provide diverse recreation components creatively known as the "Middle Ground" for young teens. This multi-age play environment will be further complemented by baseball fields, basketball and roller hockey court, soccer field renovation, shelter and picnic and day camp area, a trail for fitness walking and inline skating, landscaping, trail lighting and tennis court repair.

Mt. Prospect Park District $287,500 to acquire 2.1 acres adjoining two park district properties. The acquisition will double the size of the existing Hill Street Park/Ecological Center. Plans are to demolish an existing structure and restore the site to a natural state by using indigenous plantings and to create nature trails and picnic areas.

North Berwyn Park District $200,000 to develop 2.9 acres of Berwyn Gardens, a former elevated railroad train stop, to provide both active and passive recreation opportunities. Improvements will include a paved 0.3-mile walking trail, safety fencing at cross streets, lawn volleyball, children's play area and tot lot, an ornamental garden with seating and a pergola structure, gazebo shelter, drinking fountain, sunken plaza area, skateboard bowl, roller blade court, benches, picnic tables and landscape plantings.

Oak Park Park District $200,000 to redevelop 13.9-acre Lindberg Park with an educational arboretum, tennis courts and the installation of an irrigation and drainage system for the multi-use play fields. Improvements also include the construction of restrooms, storage areas and the installation of a playground.

Palatine Park District $100,000 to provide outdoor recreational facilities at the 4.1-acre Hummingbird Park located in the northwestern portion of the Palatine Park District Development will include a playground, mini shelter, basketball court, walkways, parking, open space and landscaping.

Peoria Park District $180,000 to acquire 24 acres to serve emerging neighborhoods on the far north side of the district The acquisition will provide the only neighborhood park within a 3-mile radius. Development components will include an interior pathway, play fields, picnic shelter, playground and a lake area.

Quincy Park District $200,000 to expand facilities at the 135-acre South Park. New development will include public walkway and restroom facilities, picnic shelters and areas, playground apparatus and additional public parking. Improvements will include horseshoe courts, pond fishing, restroom accessibility, selective park road resurfacing and curb repair, turf renovation, signage and tennis court renovation.

River Trails Park District $200,000 to correct site flooding problems and for the development of playgrounds, shelter with exercise interpretive signs, walking path, tennis, roller hockey, basketball, ice skating, soccer, restrooms, two ballfields, and a picnic area. One feature of the park is the "Play Fit" exercise signage which is an outdoor workout concept for children and adults. Balance and coordination, flexibility, muscle and skeletal strength, cardiovascular and socialization benefits will be related to each park activity and sport through interpretive signs.

Rockford Park District $200,000 to renovate and improve eight neighborhood and community park playgrounds with updated equipment to meet ADA accessibility guidelines and improve play value.

Schaumburg Park District $137,500 to develop the 7.5-acre Northwest Neighborhood Park with a multi-use play court, a playground, paved pathways, sand volleyball, ice skating area, a backstop, shelter, softball field, seeding and landscaping.

Skokie Park District $112,000 to acquire 0.51 acres of former American Legion property. Future development will include basketball courts, roller hockey, ice hockey, a shelter and playground area. This park primarily will serve youth at risk.

Springfield Park District $400,000 to acquire a 190.18-acre site in west Springfield. The acquisition and future development of this property will help provide both active and passive recreational facilities and opportunities to the Springfield community and the surrounding area.

St. Charles Park District $105,300 to assist in the development of the 47.3-acre Otter Creek Wetland Park, an innovative and nationally recognized wetland restoration project created as a wet-

Illinois Parks & Recreation * November/December 1996 * 11

Streamwood Park District $200,000 to develop the 10-acre Sherwood Forest Park with three softball diamonds, children's playground, parking lot, picnic shelter, interpretive wetland overlooks, bicycle and walking paths, site furnishings and landscaping.

Urbana Park District $114,200 to expand the bicycle/pedestrian pathway system along and construct a bridge over McCullough Creek that will connect PrairiePlay playground with the path system. Development of the 130-acre site will also include the construction of accessible, organic garden plots, a picnic site and pavilion.

Westmont Park District $135,800 to incorporate and develop 18 acres of passive recreation at the existing Twin Lakes Park. Improvements include restoration of native habitat, a trail system, picnic shelter and play space. Also planned are a sand volleyball court, parking lot, restroom facilities, storage area, fishing pier and the construction of two bridges needed to cross St. Joseph's Creek to access the cross-country ski program at the adjacent park district golf course.

Wheaton Park District $400,000 to acquire 1.28 acres of land with a existing two-story office building and parking lot contiguous to Wheaton Park District's existing 130-acre Lincoln Marsh Natural Area. The facility will become home to the district's outdoor education program and wetland education center.

Wheeling Park District $200,000 to acquire a 4.46-acre site with future development that includes an accessible playground and picnic grove. The park will serve as a stop/rest point along the DenoyerTrail between Wheeling and Buffalo Grove.

Will County Forest Preserve District $100,000 to acquire 40 acres and expand Thorn Creek Woods near University Park, an Illinois natural areas inventory site dedicated as a state nature preserve. This acquisition will provide woodland and wetland buffer land for the existing nature preserve and allows for the extension of the existing trail system.

Winnebago County Forest Preserves $343,000 to acquire a 395.88-acre tract of land along the Pecatonica River on the eastern boundary of the Pecatonica Wetland Forest Preserve. This Phase II acquisition includes forest, wetland, cultivated acreage in the flood plain and upland agricultural land.

BIKE PATH GRANTS
Gov. Jim Edgar awarded $3.8 million for 22 community bicycle path projects that will provide 35 new miles of recreational opportunities and important transportation links.

Including these 35 miles, more than 415 miles of trails have been funded since the inception of the Bicycle Path grant program seven years ago. An avid bicyclist, Edgar and the IAPD championed the legislation establishing the grant program during his tenure as Secretary of State.

DNR received 38 applications requesting more than $5.5 million. Grants are funded from a percentage of motor vehicle title transfer fees and provide up to 50 percent of an approved project's total cost. Grants to develop projects are limited to $200,000. There is no cap for acquisition projects.

Applications for the next cycle of grants will be accepted Jan. 1, 1997, through March 1, 1997.

For additional information about the program, contact the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Grant Administration, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, BL 62701-1787, or call 217/782-7481.

Calumet Memorial Park District (Calumet City) $130,000 to acquire a one-mile section of the abandoned railroad right-of-way within Calumet City. This acquisition is part of a joint project involving the Chicago Park District, the Cook County Forest Preserve District and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to purchase and develop an 11-mile corridor in southeast Cook County, known as the Bumham Greenway, for future trail use.

Champaign Park District $53,000 to develop 0.57 miles of trail which extends through two parks and connects the Boulware Trail to the Windsor Road Trail. This scenic trail includes a 25-fbot-long bridge and intersects with trails provided by the Urbana Park District, the Village of Savoy and the University of Illinois.

Chicago Park District $250,000 to acquire about one mile of the abandoned railroad right-of- way from Indianapolis Boulevard at 104th Street to 112th Street in Chicago. This project is part of the multi-government Bumham Greenway proposal, an 11-mile Rails-to Trails corridor.

Cook County Forest Preserve District $400,000 to acquire about three miles of abandoned railroad right-of-way within the Bumham Green- way, an 11-mile Rails-to-Trails corridor.

Cook County Forest Preserve District $200,000 to develop a 1.45-mile section of bicycle trail within the Tinley Creek Forest Preserve. This project will complete the north portion of the Tinley Creek Bicycle Trail, a significant regional green- way located in southwest Cook County. When complete, the Tinley Creek Bicycle Trail will include about 35 miles of continuous, paved bicycle trails.

DuPage County Forest Preserve District $168,200 to construct a one-mile-long multi-purpose trail that will extend from McDowell Grove Forest Preserve north towards Warrenville Grove Forest Preserve. This trail will be a vital link in the district's overall regional trail plan for the entire DuPage River West Branch Greenway. The trail will be routed under 1-88 and Diehl Road from McDowell Grove to provide safe access.

Kane County Forest Preserve District $225,000 to acquire 3.2 acres of the Elgin-Belvidere Railroad right-of-way in northwest Kane County. The right-of-way corridor connects Bumidge and Freeman Kane forest preserves and Gilbert's municipal park. The McHenry County Conservation District owns 15 miles of the same corridor just north of this project The two sections eventually will be linked.

Lake County Forest Preserve District $200, 000 to construct an underpass and realign a small portion of the Des Plaines River Trail in the Old School Forest Preserve. This project will allow for safe, uninterrupted passage under St. Mary's Road, a county highway, for all trail users. The Des Plaines River Trail is a part of the Grand Illinois Trail system.

Oswegoland Park District (Oswego) $200, 000 to construct a 2.5-mile-long asphalt bicycle/pedestrian trail through the Waubonsie Creek Greenway in Oswego. The trail will link with the Fox River Trail, a major regional trail in Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties, and will connect nine local parks, two schools, seven subdivisions, and the community's police station.

Peoria Park District/City of Peoria $200, 000 to develop 2.27 miles of asphalt path between Pioneer Parkway and Knoxville Avenue. This expansion of Peoria's regional trail system is a part of the connection between the Pimiteoui Riverfront Trail and the Rock Island Trail. The trail will connect new neighborhoods which are not served by a trail and will also be a link to schools, recreation faculties and scenic natural areas.

Rockford Park District $59,300 to provide a 0.21-mile bridge across the Rock River and 0.24 miles of paved approach ramps to connect the Rock River Recreation path at Martin Park to the Sportscore Path. The bridge provides the missing link in the Rock River Recreation Path which runs 10 miles from downtown Rockford to the Machesney park Mall and from there 4 miles to Rock Cut State Park via the Willow Creek Path. It is a part of the Grand Illinois Trail.

Will County Forest Preserve District $200, 000 to acquire, along with the Department of Natural Resources, the 10.5-mile Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad segment of the Midewin Trail, which runs from the planned Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie through Manhattan to Joliet. This grant will assist the county with its 4.2-mile portion of the acquisition. The trail will serve multiple uses including equestrian and crosscountry skiing. The trail passes through the county's Sugar Creek Preserve which will serve as the county's primary access point. 

Remember to invite your legislator to the Friday All Conference Luncheon at the state conference! (Fri., Jan. 10, 12: 00 - 2: 15 p.m.)