The New Lenox Community Park District was awarded an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant in the amount of $600,000 to help build Water Chase Park!
Water Chase Park Development in the Water Chase Estates Subdivision will entail a pavilion, creative play area, wiffle ball field, pickle ball courts, and walking/running paths. The goal of the project is to help serve 547 single-family homes in the surrounding area as well as expand multi-generational recreational opportunities, offer accessible amenities and enhance the natural environment to a park district that is now exceeding 70,000 people and expected to more than double in the next ten years.
The new development has a project budget of over $1.2 million and will be funded by the OSLAD grant and the New Lenox Community Park District. When OSLAD grants are awarded, agencies typically exceed the dollar-for-dollar minimum matching requirement. On average, local agencies match the state’s dollar investment by $1.75, meaning that the state receives 175% of its investment.
The New Lenox Community Park District is one of 118 agencies throughout the state to receive an OSLAD grant. A total of $60 Million dollars was awarded to agencies. The grants represent the largest round of OSLAD grants in the 36-year history of the program, which was designed to help communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. Since it was established, OSLAD has awarded more than $530 million for park projects throughout Illinois.
“The New Lenox Park District is thankful that the State of Illinois recognizes the importance of the OSLAD grant program and feel very fortunate to be awarded OSLAD this year.” New Lenox Community Park District Board President Ted Schulz said. “This grant helps us to support our community and we are thrilled to develop Water Chase Park into another great recreation area for our residents.”