Grandview and Springfield Secure State Recreation Grants

Communities in Sangamon County are set to see significant investments in parks and outdoor recreation after Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced $36 million in Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants awarded to 67 projects statewide.

Among the recipients are the Village of Grandview and the City of Springfield, both of which secured $600,000 grants to support new and expanded recreational amenities. The funding is part of a broader statewide effort to improve access to outdoor spaces, with $11.4 million reserved this year for economically distressed and underserved communities.

In Grandview, the OSLAD grant will fund construction of a new outdoor sports complex designed to serve residents of all ages. Plans for the site include two bocce ball and pickleball courts, two soccer fields, a basketball court, and a five-foot-wide concrete walking path. The project also includes grading for stormwater management and fencing along the north and east sides of the park. Grandview, with a population of about 1,400, is classified as an economically distressed community.

“This project represents far more than new courts and walking paths. It represents opportunity, equity and investment in the people of Grandview,” said Village President Maria “Mia” Ray. “For a small, economically challenged community like ours, OSLAD funding is the difference between having a vision and being able to bring that vision to life. This grant allows us to create a safe, accessible, and inclusive space where residents of all ages can be active, connect with one another, and take pride in their community.”

Springfield also received a $600,000 OSLAD grant, awarded to City Water, Light and Power, to support major improvements at Center Park along Lake Springfield. Planned upgrades include four new pickleball courts, a modern playground with safety surfacing, and a new walking path connecting Center Park to the Lake Springfield Beach House, picnic areas, shoreline, and nearby harbor docks. ADA-compliant parking improvements are also included.

The project is intended to better utilize existing open space while creating a more connected and walkable recreation destination for residents and visitors.

“As Mayor revitalizing the Lake Springfield Beach House and surrounding park areas was a top priority,” said Mayor Misty Buscher. “Enhancing this area opens Lake Springfield to the entire community, creating a dynamic activity center for all residents. This OSLAD grant allows us to take an important first step in bringing that vision to life. By investing in high-quality amenities and improving connections between Center Park and Lake Springfield, we are expanding access to recreation, creating a welcoming gateway to the lake, and laying the groundwork for long-term community and economic growth for Springfield and the surrounding region.”

Springfield was one of 67 communities selected statewide during the most recent OSLAD grant cycle. Other communities receiving funding include Cambria in Williamson County, Witt in Montgomery County, Mattoon in Coles County, and Du Quoin in Perry County, each awarded grants for park upgrades and new recreational facilities.

Established in 1986, the OSLAD program is a cost-sharing initiative between the state and local governments that supports land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation. Since its creation, the program has awarded more than $675 million for park projects across Illinois.

Construction timelines and additional details for the Grandview and Springfield projects will be announced as design and planning work continues.