Local news- Press Release
The City of Galesburg Illinois - Galesburg Awarded OSLAD Grant for Future Park Development 01 February 2024 ( news )
The City of Galesburg , state Illinois ( By Press Release office)
Feb 01,2024
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Galesburg Awarded OSLAD Grant for Future Park Development
On Tuesday , January 30 , 2024 , Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced the award of $54 . 9 million in Open Space Land Acquisition and Development ( OSLAD ) Grants to 111 local park projects in Illinois . 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 Street .
These awards mark the 37
thyear 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 total project cost is approximately $1 , 000 , 000 , 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 view park locations on the Galesburg parks map , found on the
city’s website
. This newest park development at the former Cooke School property is located one block east of S . Henderson Street and will be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood . The anticipated development plan is illustrated below , which will be further defined as the project proceeds through the design and construction phases .
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