North Central Illinois Council of Governments Outdoor Recreation Grants

OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT PROGRAMS

These programs are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) with the intention of creating more recreational opportunities closer to home for the citizens of Illinois. All of the programs listed below operate on a cost reimbursement basis to local governments for approved project elements. Funding through these programs is competitively awarded on an annual basis based upon written applications.

Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program (OSLAD) & Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)-(Applications are generally due on July 1st of each year.) The OSLAD and LWCF programs are state-financed grant programs that provide funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and /or development of land for public parks and open space.

Boat Access Area Development Program-(Applications are generally due on September 1st of each year.) This program provides financial assistance to local government agencies for the acquisition, construction, and expansion/rehabilitation, including necessary architectural/engineering services, of public boat and canoe access areas on Illinois= lakes and rivers.

Illinois Bicycle Path Program-(Applications are generally due on March 1st of each year.) This program was created in 1990 to financially assist eligible units of government acquire, construct, and rehabilitate public, non-motorized bicycle paths and directly related support facilities.

Snowmobile Grant Program-(Applications are generally due on May 1st of each year.) This program is financed from the registration fees of snowmobiles and provides up to 50% reimbursement of approved facility development/rehabilitation costs and 90% of approved trail corridor land acquisition costs for pubic snowmobile trails and areas in the state.
Illinois Youth Recreation Corps Grant Program (IYRC) – (Application deadlines are subject to availability of funding. Check with NCICG staff for program availability). The Illinois youth recreation Corps was established for making grants to local governments and not-for-profits to provide wages to youth operating and instructing in recreational and conservation programs for the benefit of other youth.

Park and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) Grant Program – (Application deadlines are subject to availability of funding. Check with NCICG staff for program availability). The Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) was created by Public Act 096-0820 effective November 18, 2009 to provide grants to be disbursed by the DNR to eligible local governments for the acquisition, development, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvements, architectural planning, and instillation of capital facilities consisting, but not limited to, buildings, structures, and land for park and recreation purposes and open spaces and natural areas.