CREST HILL – With strong support from State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, the Villages of Shorewood and Plainfield and Plainfield Township Park District are set to receive over $1.2 million for land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects.

“Our neighborhood parks are a part of our community,” said Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood). “Investing in local parks provides a place for people to gather, enjoy and explore. We can see the benefits from spending time outside at parks such as reducing stress, lowering blood sugar and overall better physical health.”

Nearly $60 million in grants were awarded to 118 local parks across Illinois through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants, administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This announcement includes the largest round of grants in the 36-year history of the program.

The Village of Shorewood will receive $600,000, the Village of Plainfield will receive $284,500 and the Plainfield Township Park District is set to receive $377,500 to acquire and develop land for public parks and open space. OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that has become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for more information on the OSLAD grants.