Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday announced the award of $54.9 million in Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grants to 111 local park projects in Illinois, according to a news release.
Included in the awards announced is $500,000 for the City of Galesburg to develop a new park on the southwest side of the city at 652 W. Second St.
These awards mark the 37th year of the OSLAD Grant program, administered by the Illinois Department of National Resources, which provides assistance to local government agencies for
acquisition or development of land for creating or expanding outdoor recreational opportunities
throughout communities in Illinois.
With the assistance of the OSLAD Grant award, the City of Galesburg plans to develop a park at
652 W. Second Street, which is the location of the former Cooke Elementary School. There has
been strong public support for the addition of a park in this area, and the City acquired the
property in December 2022 with the intent to pursue the development of a park at this location, the release says.
The total project cost is about $1 million, with the OSLAD grant providing $500,000 or 50% of the cost. The proposed park development includes the creation of a trailhead, playground,
picnic shelter, pathway for accessibility, parking area, restroom, trees and other native plants.
“This project will benefit the community through the addition of a park with a playground on the
southwest side of the city, providing another outdoor recreational amenity for our citizens to
enjoy,” said Elizabeth Varner, director of Parks & Recreation. “We are extremely excited and
grateful to have been awarded the OSLAD Grant, which makes the project possible for our
community.”
The City of Galesburg was also a recipient of OSLAD Grants in 2022 and 2023 for improvements
to H.T. Custer Park and Lancaster Park. Those projects are underway, with the parking area,
walking path, and new playground completed at H.T. Custer this past fall, and the new shelter
and restroom slated to be completed in the spring.
The Lancaster Park improvements are in the design phase. Construction is expected to begin in the spring, and will include a shelter, parking area, accessible path, new playground, and half basketball court.
Residents can see park locations on the Galesburg parks map on the city’s website. This
newest park development at the former Cooke School property is one block east of South Henderson Street.
The anticipated development plan will be further defined as the project proceeds through the design and construction phases.
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