Petersburg Observer & Menard County Review

City receives grant for Jaycee Park


 

 

The Town and Country Wom­en’s Club (TCWC) in partner­ship with the City of Petersburg is thrilled to announce that Gov­ernor JB Pritzker and the Illi­nois Department of Natural Re­sources (IDNR) have awarded the Jaycee Park Revitalization Project $173,355 through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) matching grant program. The OSLAD grant is a 50% match­ing grant, meaning that TCWC must match the State’s grant of $173,355, and currently has ap­proximately $73,000 on hand after paying for the new fencing. In order to fully utilize this grant award, TCWC needs to raise an additional $100,000 to match the state-provided funding.

TCWC launched a capital campaign in April 2022 to revi­talize Jaycee Park in Petersburg. In less than one year, TCWC has raised over $110,000. The Revi­talization Project is comprised of three phases. Phase One of the Project has been completed with the installation of all new fencing in January of this year. The total cost of Phase One was $43,147.

The OSLAD grant will be used to accomplish Phase Two of the Revitalization Project and will include: removal of existing play structures, purchase and in­stallation of all new play equip­ment for ages 2-5 and for 5-12, all new turf surfacing under play equipment, fitness equipment, new basketball hoops and new soccer goals.

Phase Three of the Revitaliza­tion Project includes a walking path around the perimeter of the Park. In addition, The City of Petersburg will soon be install­ing a restroom and water foun­tain, as well as lighting in the pavilion.

A number of area businesses, organizations and individuals have donated for the project and various fund raisers have been held to collect the needed money to make the upgrades, and club members will host The Derby Party on Saturday, May 6 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Broadgauge in downtown Petersburg to raise additional funds. Special guest emcee will be Sonya Jones, and there will be live music by Dave Littrell and Micah Walk of The Deep Hollow presented by Julie Wankel of Edward Jones. The event will also feature live and silent auctions, a hat contest, an appetizer buffet and glass of champagne, a raffle and much more. Tickets may be ordered at Broadgauge.com, with VIP tables available

Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OS­LAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local gov­ernments that has become one of the most popular grant pro­grams in Illinois. Since it was es­tablished, OSLAD has awarded more than $530 million for park projects throughout Illinois.

“I appreciate Governor Pritz­ker’s push to increase state fund­ing for the OSLAD program and also set aside money to ensure traditionally underserved com­munities are able to build and improve their parks,” said DNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “An investment in the outdoors is an investment in the health and well-being of the people of Illinois. We know that 83% of Illinoisans consider access to outdoor recreational opportuni­ties important for them and their families. We also know that get­ting outside leads to better over­all health.”

“The Illinois Association of Park Districts and its members are extremely grateful to Gov­ernor Pritzker for ensuring that these dedicated matching grant funds are awarded for much needed park improvement proj­ects benefiting communities throughout Illinois,” said Peter Murphy, President & CEO of the Illinois Association of Park Dis­tricts. “For more than three de­cades, OSLAD-funded projects have provided Illinoisans with access to local parks, including those who are disadvantaged and underserved, persons with disabilities and special needs, seniors, and families. OSLAD capital improvements projects create jobs, support small busi­nesses and labor, promote phys­ical and mental health, help ed­ucate and provide jobs to youth, and improve the environment. As IDNR staff can attest, there is an overwhelming demand for these projects, and today’s grants will once again enable lo­cal parks to make Illinois a bet­ter place to live, work, and play.”

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