Yednock Announces Grant Awards for Local Park and Recreation Projects

OTTAWA, Ill. — Underscoring the importance of parks and outdoor recreation, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is celebrating hundreds of thousands of dollars in Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants awarded to the DeKalb Park District and the Cities of Ottawa and Marseilles.

“Parks and recreation services help us build community and offer families and children safe places to be active and enjoy the outdoors,” Yednock said. “Spending time outside leads to better physical and mental health, making this investment in our local parks an investment in the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments meant to help communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. The Cities of Marseilles and Ottawa were awarded $600,000 and $506,000, respectively, and the DeKalb Park District was awarded $507,000.

“OSLAD-funded projects create jobs and improve access to local parks and recreation services,” Yednock said. “I am so grateful to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for recognizing the need in our communities and awarding the funding to fill that need.”