Governor announces $60 million in grants for parks around the state

Posted on March 2, 2023
Gov. JB Pritzker announced $60 million worth of grants from the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Wednesday was a beautiful day to be outdoors, and that was fitting for Gov. JB Pritzker’s announcement of $60 million in parks grants statewide. The money comes from a program called OSLAD – Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development.

Some of the money will go to disadvantaged areas. “This means that places needing renewal and restoration like Cairo, which is the recipient of its first ever OSLAD grant, will be able to improve their parks and their greenspace,” said the governor outside a Springfield swimming pool.

The acting director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natalie Phelps Finnie, vouched for the benefits of the outdoors. “Research has shown time and again that spending time outdoors is vital to overall good health,” she said. “Physical activities like walking, bicycling, hiking, and running help strengthen our heart and lungs.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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