Sangamon Sun

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is set to host an informational Zoom meeting on the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant (OSLAD) on Wednesday, May 15th at 11:00 a.m. The session aims to educate park districts and units of local government about the application process for OSLAD, its workings, and other relevant details.

Interested parties can join the event via this link: OSLAD Grant Submission Webinar for Potential Applicants.

The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program is a state-financed initiative that offers funding assistance to local government agencies for the acquisition and/or development of land intended for public parks and open spaces. The federal Land & Water Conservation Fund program (also known as LWCF and LAWCON) shares similar objectives. Both programs are managed in Illinois by the Department of Natural Resources, with concurrent application due dates, equal grant maximums, and similar general rules.

Eligible projects under OSLAD include acquisition of land for new park sites or park expansion, water frontage, nature study, and natural resource preservation. This applies to both LWCF & OSLAD. However, development or renovation projects are eligible only under OSLAD. These may include picnic and playground facilities; outdoor nature interpretive facilities; sports courts and play fields; swimming pools, beaches, and bathhouses; campgrounds and fishing piers; winter sports facilities; park roads and paths, parking utilities, restrooms; as well as architectural/engineering services necessary for proper design and construction of approved project components.