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City to apply for OSLAD grant for accessible ‘Baby Sarah’s’ playground after fundraising report; council conditions support
Summary
Community organizers told the council they have raised $120,000 toward a $745,000 accessible playground; council approved applying for an OSLAD grant (up to $600,000, 1:1 match) provided the Foundation for Pinckneyville commits raised funds to the city (motion passed 4–1).
Pinckneyville city leaders and community organizers on July 28 moved forward with an application for a state OSLAD grant to build an accessible playground dubbed Baby Sarah’s.
Gloria Przygoda and Kaitlyn Eret told the council the group has raised about $120,000 from businesses and individuals toward an estimated $745,000 construction cost and said a recent review shows the project will require two ADA‑paved parking spaces, increasing costs. Przygoda said a community survey returned 300 responses representing 638 children and that 100 families indicated a specific need for an accessible playground.
Commissioner Joshua L. Kuhnert and Economic Development Coordinator Carrie Gilliam said the city and local partners have been coordinating with the Greater Egypt Planning Committee and HMG Engineer Jesse Maynard to prepare the application. Maynard said playground equipment would be purchased directly from the vendor and construction costs are being prepared for bidding. The OSLAD program allows a maximum grant request of $600,000 with a 1:1 local match; the group’s goal is to raise the local match through donations and partner commitments.
Mayor Robert L. Spencer and council members discussed the city’s prior commitments and fundraising expectations for other OSLAD projects. City Attorney Don Bigham told council the Foundation for Pinckneyville (which is holding the donated funds at Murphy‑Wall State Bank) must provide a letter committing to make funds available to the City when needed to fund construction. Council approved the application on the condition of that letter; the vote was 4 in favor, with Commissioner Kevin B. Hicks voting No.
The application deadline for the OSLAD program was stated as Sept. 30, 2025. Council action authorizes the city to proceed with the grant application process but includes a formal condition requiring assurance that privately raised funds will be available to the city during construction.
Next steps: the Foundation must submit a formal letter committing funds, fundraising will continue, and city staff will finalize bid documents should the grant be awarded.
