The Galva Park District will receive an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant that will assist them at developing public parks and outdoor recreational spaces.

The park district announced in a news release that it has been selected to receive a $600,000 grant from the state of Illinois for renovations and new amenities on the park district grounds.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) awarded a total of $36 million to 67 communities for local park development projects as part of the latest round of OSLAD grants. Galva was one of those communities.

“Since I became Governor, it’s been my mission to build stronger, healthier communities across Illinois,” said Gov. Pritzker. “Through the OSLAD program, we’re bringing that vision to life by awarding over $36 million to local park projects, expanding green spaces and creating new recreational opportunities for all.”

Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. It’s become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since its establishment, OSLAD has awarded $640 million for park projects throughout Illinois (including the recent awards).

“The Park District was thrilled to be one of the recipients of the 2025 OSLAD grant,” said Doug Anderson, superintendent at the Galva Park District. “These funds will help renovate deteriorating infrastructure that will allow the GPD to continue to meet its community’s needs.”

The funds will be used to:

-Update chain link/backstop fencing around the baseball/softball fields
-Update lighting and concrete around the baseball/softball fields
-Upgrade the batting cages
-Add an ADA lift to the pool
-Renovate the flooring base of the tennis/pickleball courts and tennis court shelter
-Add new trash receptacles, grills, drinking fountains and trees
-Fix aging sidewalks in need of repair
-Add additional walking path of approximately 950’ in the south field