Cooperative Agreement F16AC00594

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County was awarded $573,960.76 on May 18, 2022 through the Recreational Trails Program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. The Formula Grant funding will support improvements to the Tinley Creek Trail, including resurfacing three miles of trail and enhancing accessibility at two trailhead parking lots. Specifically, the District will conduct minor upgrades to trail access gates, implement ADA improvements in...

The Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD) received a $150,000 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 under the Geographic Programs – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469), awarded June 1, 2026, with completion by August 30, 2028. The award funds invasive species management activities throughout the Illinois Lake Plain, a RAMSAR-designated coastal dune and swale ecosystem. LCFPD will conduct mechanical and chemical spot treatments to...

The Forest Park Village of Illinois received a $110,805 project grant award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on August 2, 2021 under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG Program, CFDA #97.044). The funding will support the enhancement of public and firefighter safety with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. Specifically, the grant will provide Forest Park with resources to improve fire prevention and safety as outlined under the AFG Program, which aims to enhance...

This $685,000 Project Grant award from the National Park Service's Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) will allow the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to acquire a 0.86-acre property located at 1150 Meadowcrest Road in La Grange Park, Illinois. The grant funding will enable IDNR to preserve the green space, save mature trees, and provide public open space for passive recreation for the residents of La Grange Park. The project has an award...

The National Park Service awarded the Illinois Department of Natural Resources a $400,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning grant (CFDA 15.916) to pass through funds to the Plainfield Township Park District. The grant will support the acquisition of 6.5 acres of land along the DuPage River to connect existing sections of the DuPage River Trail, which serves as a major transportation corridor and recreation resource for Will County...

Federal Grant Award Summary The Department of the Interior National Park Service awarded $957,300 to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on September 5, 2025, under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) to support park development projects in Romeoville, Illinois. Through a subaward structure, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will pass these funds to the Village of Romeoville for improvements and developments at Ward Park. The...

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service awarded a $196,090.58 Project Grant to Openlands under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance federal grant program (CFDA #10.664) for the period of February 25, 2022 through September 30, 2024. The funding will support Openlands' GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE: OPENLANDS TREEPLANTERS PROGRAM V to assist in advancing forest resource management and conservation efforts in Illinois. Specifically, the award will aid Openlands' Forestry division in...

Federal Project Grant Award Summary The Illinois Department of Natural Resources received a $1.88 million project grant from the National Park Service under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) to support park development at City Forest (Richards Woods 2) in Edwardsville, Illinois. The award, issued on August 27, 2025, with a completion date of August 26, 2028, will be administered through a subaward to the City of Edwardsville. The project will...

This federal Project Grant award of $300,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664) supports a partnership between the Openlands Forestry Division, a non-profit organization, and various stakeholders to undertake storm water reduction and urban forestry initiatives in the Lake Michigan watershed. The grant funding will enable Openlands to implement tree planting, habitat restoration, and environmental education...

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program (CFDA 15.630) will provide $200,000 to the Chicago Park District to establish 1.25 acres of native dune habitat along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Calumet Park in Chicago. Key project activities include importing and grading clean sand, installing gravel to create nesting habitat for piping plovers, and planting native marram grass and milkweed to stabilize the dunes and support pollinators. The...