OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT-IN-AID 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.

IL DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
OPEN SPACE LANDS ACQUISITION & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The IL Open Space Lands Acquisition & Development (OSLAD) Program includes funding from the Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund. The two are operated as one grant program that provides up to 50% funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and development of land for public parks and open space. The program is funded in part with money from the IL real estate transfer tax. Projects may vary from small neighborhood parks or tot lots to large community and county parks and nature areas.

The OSLAD Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR). NCICG staff have worked with the OSLAD program and the DNR for many years. We will work closely with your community and DNR to develop a competitive and thorough grant application. A great deal is involved in an application to this program. We like to begin working with the appropriate community board or committee on the application shortly after the first of January in the year that you want to apply for funding (assuming a July 1 application deadline).

OSLAD PROGRAM FACTS

1. Funding assistance for approved projects is provided on a reimbursement basis after satisfactory project completion. This means, the community must possess the ability to initially finance the entire cost of an approved project prior to receipt of grant reimbursement. 
2. Project applications are due in Springfield by July 1 of each year. 
3. Maximum grant funding for an approved acquisition project is limited to $750,000 and approved development projects are limited to $400,000. 
4. Grant reimbursement is limited to 50% of actual eligible project costs or the approved grant amount, whichever is less.  
5. Examples of eligible projects include:

   A) Acquisition projects:

   Acquisition of land for new park sites or park expansion, nature study, natural or scenic resource preservation, sites protecting threatened or endangered species, flood plains, wetlands, geologic features, wildlife habitats or scenic waters, etc..

   Acquisition of linear greenway corridors and abandoned rights-of-way for outdoor recreation purposes.

   Acquisition of areas providing frontage on public surface waters or land for creating public water impoundments to promote water-based recreation opportunities.

   B) Development/Renovation projects:

   • picnic and playground facilities
   • walking/hiking/jogging trails
   • nature observation and sightseeing facilities such as overlooks, turnouts, and trails
   • outdoor interpretive facilities
   • sports courts and play fields
   • basic outdoor water sports facilities for swimming and boating including pools, beaches and bathhouses
   • camping facilities
   • group camps open to public on first-come first-served basis
   • fishing piers
   • outdoor skating facilities
   • winter sports facilities
   • support facilities such as park roads and paths, parking, utilities, restrooms
   • architectural/engineering services necessary for proper design and construction of approved project components

   C) Combination projects:

   A local agency may receive up to 50% grant reimbursement on the approved Fair Market Value of land anticipated for donation to the agency, and use the value of that donation as well as all or part of the required local match on an approved OSLAD project provided the land donation meets eligibility requirements. Land donations can be combined with either a development or acquisition project.

   The donated land must remain for public outdoor recreation use. The improvements outlined in the initial grant application must be completed within three years of the completed acquisition.