- Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2021 02:00 PM
SPRINGFIELD – Central Park in Wood River is receiving a $2.5 million state grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Park and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) grant program, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced today.
“The pandemic has emphasized the importance of local parks to a community’s quality of life, offering safe space for fresh air, exercise and solace,” Crowe said. “This investment to improve public space at Central Park shows our state’s commitment to offering residents more recreational opportunities and optimizing health and wellness.”
Central Park’s revitalization projects include plans to build a recreation center housing a gymnasium with two full-size multi-sport courts, an elevated walking path above the courts, locker rooms, multi-purpose space and more.
The PARC grant program provides up to 90% of project costs to help build, renovate and improve recreational buildings used by the public, with local governments matching the value of the grants awarded. The grant to Wood River was one of 17 grants totaling $24.9 million awarded across the state Tuesday.
A full list of grantees is available on IDNR’s website.
