State kicks in to renovate Batavia park
Renovation of Prairie-Lathem Park in Batavia could start as soon as July now that the state has agreed to help pay for the job.
The Batavia Park District will get $242,900 from the state's Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program, the governor's office announced Friday.
"Now that we got word, we're ready to go to bid," said Mike Clark, executive director of the district.
"This is good news."
Prairie-Lathem, at Prairie and Lathem streets on the east side, will fix up its two basketball courts, two tennis courts, two ball fields and a playground. A low spot in the 11-acre park will be turned into wet prairie, with native grasses, to improve drainage.
The project will cost $547,900. The park district pays the bills up-front. The state will reimburse it once the project is done.
Other local agencies receiving grants include:
• South Elgin, $225,000 for the second phase of development of Thornwood Park on McDonald Road. Park elements include a soccer field, skate park, trails with fitness stations, native prairie plants and landscaping.
• Kane County Forest Preserve District, $400,000 to develop the 561-acre Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve on Rohrsen Road off Route 47.
• The city of Aurora, $400,000 for new amenities and shoreline restoration of Mastodon Lake at Phillips Park.
• Fox Valley Park District, $400,000 to develop the 34-acre Spring Lake Community Park on McCoy Drive.
• Kendall County Forest Preserve District, $369,000 to develop the Jay Woods Preserve northwest of Plano, and $750,000 to buy 233 acres south of Millbrook along the Fox River.
• Yorkville, $400,000 to develop Raintree Park on Prairie Crossing Drive.
Seventy-one projects are being funded statewide.