January 10, 2024 – More than $28 million in state grant funding has been awarded to local governments throughout Illinois for the construction, renovation, and improvement of buildings or land purchases for public recreational opportunities, including 2.8 million for the Decatur Park District.
The funding comes from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act, or PARC, grant program, which is part of the Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) administers the program.
“From roads and bridges to parks and recreational buildings, my administration’s landmark Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan is leaving no part of our state’s infrastructure untouched,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I’m proud to announce that, through the PARC grant program, we are dispersing more than $28 million to local governments to further public recreational opportunities throughout their communities – whether that’s renovating existing buildings or constructing a new community center. Public recreational spaces promote wellness, all while safeguarding the environment, and I look forward to visiting these modernized facilities once they are up and running.”
The PARC grant program provides up to 90% of project costs to help build, renovate, and improve recreational buildings used by the public or purchase land to be used for public access and recreational purposes, with local governments matching the value of the grants awarded.
“It’s wonderful to see so many park districts and communities looking to renovate their facilities and expand access to recreational opportunities to as many users as possible,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “IDNR is proud to play a role in making these exciting plans become a reality.”
The PARC program is one of the most significant grant opportunities administered by IDNR for park, recreation, and conservation agencies, allowing them to acquire and develop land for recreational purposes, said Peter Murphy, president and CEO of the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
“The PARC program creates jobs, supports small businesses and labor, promotes physical and mental health, helps educate and provide jobs to youth, and improves the environment,” Murphy said. “IAPD thanks the governor and the IDNR for their continued investment in recreational opportunities in communities throughout Illinois.”
The Decatur Park District has been awarded $2.8 million to renovate the former Scoville Golf Course Clubhouse into a recreational senior center. The Decatur Park District and the Decatur Macon County Senior Center combined facilities and services at the Scovill Activity Center in November of last year.
In addition, The Macon County Conservation District is receiving $870,750 to renovate existing office space into program space to accommodate the existing increase in program participants and allow for further expansion of programs. It will include expansion of the existing program space into an outdoor classroom with chalkboard, demonstration gardens, science lab, kitchen area, seat walls, fire pit, and interpretive kiosks.
