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State OSLAD grant could cover up to $600,000 for park development; committee weighs a rapid application
Summary
Biostate representative Lisa Ahern told the Colona Parks Committee the OSLAD grant can fund development projects (playgrounds, courts, cabins and camping facilities) and, owing to a 2024 disaster declaration, Colona may qualify for a 90% match; the committee discussed tight timelines and site-plan requirements.
Lisa Ahern, community and economic development director with Biostate, briefed the Parks Committee on the Illinois Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant and what an application would require.
"The funding amount available is up to $600,000," Lisa told the committee, and Colona appears to qualify for 90% of that amount because of a recent disaster declaration. She explained that applicants must submit a site plan, cost estimates and proof of ownership (warranty deeds) and that the grant is site-specific: it supports acquisition or development at a single site rather than many small projects across different parks.
Lisa noted eligible development items include playgrounds, trails and sports courts; camping facilities and cabin facilities can be eligible if they are open to the public. She also warned that some grants have perpetuity clauses requiring the improved property to remain public for a defined period, and that the application process is competitive — roughly half of applicants were funded in a recent cycle.
Committee members expressed concern about the tight timeline: the application is due Aug. 31, so the city would need a defined project, site plan and contracted cost estimates within weeks to be competitive. Members asked Lisa to check whether the 3‑year lookback tied to the disaster declaration would still yield a 90% match for next year’s cycle if they missed this deadline.
Next steps: Lisa offered Biostate assistance with site mapping and preparing cost estimates; committee members agreed to compile project lists and meet with public works staff to produce a site plan and contractor quotes in the near term.
