CHAMPAIGN – State Senator Paul Faraci is urging agencies across Champaign and Vermilion Counties to apply for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants.

“Public parks give our community a great place to go to spend time with their families,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This state funding is extremely important for the upkeep of our local parks.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be accepting applications for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grants through Aug. 31.

The program offers state-financed funding assistance to local governmental agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas. A total of $56 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. In addition, IDNR will once again provide funding to cover 100% of eligible projects located in economically distressed communities.

Applications are being accepted through Aug. 31 and should be submitted to IDNR. For more information on the OSLAD program, visit IDNR’s website.