Six-figure state grants fund park upgrades in Huntley, Fox River Grove

The village of Fox River Grove received $600,000 from Illinois Department of Natural Resource grants, while the Huntley Park District got $384,500. The Wauconda Park District also was the recipient of a $600,000 grant.

The shares were among $55 million in state Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grants announced on Dec. 16 by Gov. JB Pritzker to help more than 100 parks statewide acquire land or improve recreational opportunities.

The Huntley Park District will use its OSLAD grant to renovate Ol’ Timers Park close to downtown Huntley.

The park district plans to update the playground, add exercise stations to the walking path, install Huntley’s first wiffleball field, add a gaga ball pit, add a bag toss game, enhance a natural area with educational nodes and improve the park’s existing ball diamond, said Matt Szytz, the park district’s marketing and communications director.

“The renovation of Ol' Timers Park is a key component of the district’s comprehensive plan to enhance and expand recreational facilities, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of the Huntley community,” Szytz said in an email, adding that the project is scheduled to start late next year and is expected to be done in 2026.

The Huntley Park District received more than $500,000 in OSLAD funding earlier this year to help pay for renovation work at Weiss Park.

Fox River Grove’s state grant will be used for improvements at one of the village’s main gathering spots: the 6-acre Lions Park along the south bank of the Fox River.

With the village matching funds of almost $1.3 million, Fox River Grove plans to replace aging amenities and add several new features, including new tennis and pickleball courts and new half-basketball courts.

According to a village news release, the project also will replace the existing picnic pavilion and playground, add parking and a new open-air shelter, regrade and seed the baseball and soccer fields, and add trails.

Design and preliminary engineering are scheduled to be completed in 2025. Construction will happen in 2026. Officials said the grant was the culmination of several years of planning.