We’re thrilled to announce that the Park District has been awarded a $376,300 Open Space and Land Acquisition (OSLAD) Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to help develop Andover Park.
On Friday, January 17 Governor JB Pritzker announced $29.7 million in grants for 85 local projects which will help communities acquire open space and develop and improve recreational facilities throughout Illinois.
Andover Park will be the District’s newest neighborhood park in over 10 years. Andover Park is a unique site because of its access to Morgan Creek.
Design concepts include an accessible playground with swings, a half-court basketball hoop, soccer goals, and a small picnic shelter. Native perennial flower plantings are also planned along the creek’s banks.
The OSLAD program can provide up to one-half of a project’s funds, allowing the District to provide additional amenities beyond our capital budget.
Additional amenities will include an off-street parking lot, a rain garden to collect stormwater runoff, as well as installation of birdhouses to promote native bird habitat along the creek and interpretive signage to educate visitors on these habitats. Finally, the Prairie Point Bike Trail will be extended over the creek to Hackney Lane.
View the Site Development Plan. Construction will start later this year.
