Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD)

The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant (OSLAD) Program is a state-financed initiative administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The program is designed to support local government agencies in their efforts to acquire and develop land for public parks and open spaces throughout Illinois. The primary objective of OSLAD is to enhance the availability and quality of public outdoor recreation opportunities for communities across the state. Funding for OSLAD is sourced from a portion of Illinois’ Real Estate Transfer Tax, which allows the state to provide significant financial assistance to local governments. The program offers up to 50 percent of approved project costs, or up to 90 percent for designated distressed communities. For acquisition projects, grants can reach a maximum of $1,725,000. Development and renovation projects are eligible for a grant ceiling of $600,000. Eligible expenditures include land acquisition for new or expanded park sites and various development activities such as constructing playgrounds, sports courts, swimming facilities, and supporting infrastructure. Eligibility for the OSLAD program is limited to units of local government authorized by Illinois law to allocate public funds for outdoor park, recreation, or conservation purposes. School districts are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Applicants must also satisfy five statewide pre-award requirements established by the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), which include completing necessary registrations and prequalifications through the State of Illinois Grantee Portal. Eligible projects include both acquisition and development initiatives. Acquisition may involve securing land for new park sites, water frontage, nature study areas, and the preservation of natural resources. Development and renovation projects can encompass the installation of picnic and playground facilities, outdoor interpretive centers, sports and play fields, swimming amenities, campgrounds, fishing piers, winter sports facilities, and associated infrastructure such as roads, parking, and utilities. Architectural and engineering services integral to project execution are also eligible for funding. Applications for OSLAD grants must be submitted through the Amplifund Grant Management System during the period specified in the current Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) available on the GATA website. Only fully completed applications submitted by the deadline will be considered. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will not be eligible. Applications are assessed based on recreation priorities and criteria outlined in the Illinois Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), ensuring that funded projects align with the state’s strategic goals for public outdoor recreation. The current application period opens on July 1, 2024, at 5:00 PM. Key documents for applicants include the 2025 OSLAD Manual, the 2025 NOFO, and the FY25 OSLAD Distressed Communities List. Contact information for the program is available through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702, with phone inquiries directed to 217-782-6302. For communities impacted by disasters, special provisions exist to classify them as physically distressed, thereby qualifying for enhanced funding considerations under specific criteria.