Mundelein receives $400K for Longmeadow Park project
Mundelein Park & Recreation District received confirmation of a matching grant award of $400,000 from the Illinois Department of Natural Resource's Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program to be used to develop a 48.59-acre parcel at Longmeadow Park.
The district was one of 118 local park projects in the state to help communities acquire land and create recreational opportunities.
"Today, I couldn't be prouder to announce that IDNR's OSLAD program is offering the largest round of grants in the history of the program - nearly $60 million," Governor J.B. Pritzker said.
"The health and well-being of Illinoisans sits at the heart of the OSLAD program and, for the first time ever, we've been able to provide 100% of funding assistance to qualifying distressed recipients."
Longmeadow Park is located at 1800 Somerset Lane. Improvements at the park include making the path to the shelter ADA accessible, a play apparatus for 2- to 12-year-olds, half-court basketball, renovation of the existing walking path, a fishing station, a woodland walking path, installation of a gaga ball pit, renovation of the sand play area, pouring in a place for a swing area, a 2- to 5-year-old play area and removal of woodland invasive plants.
With the renovation of the existing walking path and the added woodland walking path, there will be a total of .54 miles of new trail.
The total estimated cost for the Longmeadow Park project is $800,000. The additional $400,000 for the project will come from the district's Capital and Special Recreation Funds.
Mundelein Park District has partnered with Landscape Architects JSD Professional Services Inc. to guide the project from the initial planning stages to completion.
"Mundelein Park & Recreation District thanks Gov. Pritzker, Illinois General Assembly, and IDNR for allocating funds for the park and recreation industry and awarding our district an OSLAD grant. Also, we want to thank Sen. Dan McConchie for his letter of support," Mundelein Park & Recreation District's Executive Director Ron Salski said.
"Parks and recreation add to the quality of life for all communities. Longmeadow Park was developed in the late '90s. Now, the district will have an opportunity to meet accessibility needs, replace an outdated playground, add a gaga pit, move the basketball hoop out of the parking lot, replace the walking path, allow kids to fish, and create trails through a beautiful, wooded area by summer 2024. This grant will continue adding to our residents' quality of life."
The improvements will start in fall 2023 and be completed by summer 2024, weather depending.
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