State grant will fund improvements at Newton Park in Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN - The Glen Ellyn Park District has been awarded a $400,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development [OSLAD] grant by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources [IDNR].

The OSLAD grant will fund a significant portion of planned improvements at Newton Park including a renovated playground with an inclusive emphasis, enhanced park amenities including a seating area and receptacles, small sensory garden, accessible path to spectator area of baseball/softball field and turf field, skate park improvements and enhanced connectivity.

As part of the grant program, the Glen Ellyn Park District is required to provide a matching investment of $400,000, which will be funded through the park district’s capital improvement fund. The planned improvements address assets that are near or beyond their useful life, including the playground and components of the skate park, while also enhancing the popular community park.

“This grant enables the district to address outdated assets and implement improvements to Newton Park while also reducing the financial burden for the District and residents,” said Michael Ward, park district board president. “We are thrilled that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources saw the merit in this project and awarded Glen Ellyn Park District the grant. Thanks to State Senator [Suzy] Glowiak-Hilton and State Representative [Terra] Costa-Howard for their continued support of community recreation”.

This represents the third OSLAD grant received by the Glen Ellyn Park District within the past seven years. The prior two awards contributed to improvements at Lake Ellyn Park and Ackerman Park.