$600,000 OSLAD Grant Award to the Mt. Prospect Park District

We are pleased to announce the awarding of a $600,000 OSLAD Grant to the Mt. Prospect Park District as part of Governor Pritzker’s continued commitment to helping communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. A total of $60 million in state grants were awarded for 118 local park projects throughout Illinois. 

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 its inception, OSLAD has awarded more than $530 million for park projects. 

With over 83% of Illinoisans considering access to outdoor recreational opportunities “very important for them and their families,” the OSLAD awards allow Districts to bring their future visions to life. 

The Mt. Prospect Park District will utilize the grant monies to begin a Phase 1 renovation of Lions Memorial Park. The Phase 1 work will include a new Playground, new shelter, fitness stations, picnic grove, pathways, tennis court restoration, ballfield drainage, benches and tables, planting and detention/pollinator garden. This project is being funded by the Mt. Prospect Park District, Mt. Prospect School District 57, and the OSLAD State Grant program.

The Lions Memorial Park Phase 1 renovation will begin late summer 2023. 

Lions Park Playground Open House

View the following Playground Designs, including different colors options, play structures and shelter options below.

Playground Options for Ages 2-5

Lions Park Option A (Ages 2-5)  Lions Park Option B (Ages 2-5)  Lions Park Option C (Ages 2-5)

Playground Options for Ages 5-12

Lions Park Option A (Ages 5-12)  Lions Park Option B (Ages 5-12)  Lions Park Option C (Ages 5-12)

Park Concepts

Lions Park Playground Concept A Lions Park Playground Concept B Lions Park Playground Concept C

Color Options

Lions Park Playground Color Options

Emerson Park Project

View the overall Emerson Park Redevelopment Conceptual Plan and the chosen design rendering below.

Emerson Park Site Concept

Robert T. Jackson Clearwater Park Pickleball Courts Project (May 2023)

Get ready to enjoy 6 new pickleball and 2 tennis courts at Clearwater Park! Renovation of the former tennis courts is underway and continues through May 2023.

Clearwater Pickleball Courts Plan

Clearwater Courts Construction

Friendship Park Conservatory & Rosemary S. Argus Friendship Park Improvement Project (Summer 2023)

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) through their Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant, has awarded the Mt. Prospect Park District’s Rosemary S. Argus Friendship Park Conservatory a $400,000 matching funds grant. The total anticipated budget for the proposed project is $1,275,000. This project should be available to bidders in early 2023 and complete by fall of 2023.

The proposed project would combine new park amenities and improvements including:

  • Refurbished pedestrian pathways and the looping of the path system
  • Resurfacing the main parking lot
  • New 250 person event pad and electric service next to the FPC, with a permanent structure for about 120
  • New Fitness Stations along the walking path
  • New shelter near the playground
  • Refresh and enhance memorial gardens
  • Resurface the existing tennis courts
  • New accessible drinking fountain at the Concessions Building
  • New tables and benches throughout the park
  • New landscape plating and trees throughout the park

Click Here to Review the Friendship Park Concept Master Plan

Thank you to all the residents that reviewed the plan and gave feedback during our Community Forum.