Two state grants and a new acquisition policy will help the cash-strapped New Lenox Park District develop neighborhood parks faster.
Park Board President Robert McKenna last week that the district will get two $45,000 state grants earmarked for specific neighborhood parks.
“This money is, in fact, badly needed at this time,” McKenna said.
Commissioner Dale Larson said state Rep. Renee Kosel (R-New Lenox) went to bat for the district.
“She knew we really needed it, and she came through for us,” Larson said.
One grant will go toward renovating Windermere West Park, where aging playground equipment had to be removed for safety reasons, and the other will help fund development of a park in the Wildwood subdivision.
In a related matter, the Park Board approved an agreement with the developers of the Bee Dee Highlands subdivision at U.S. Highway 6 and Gougar Road, the first developer agreement reflecting the district’s new policy of negotiating for both land and cash in new developments.
Bee Dee Builders will donate three lots for parkland and $25,000 to develop it and pay $200 per building permit.