St. Charles Park District 'Thrilled' Over $600K Grant

ST. CHARLES, IL — The St. Charles Park District has received a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Funds from the grant will help cover a number of renovations and new amenities at East Side Sports Complex, 3565 Legacy Boulevard, according to park district officials.

“The park district was thrilled to be listed as one of the parks and recreation agencies receiving OSLAD grants,” said Laura Rudow, superintendent of parks and planning for the St. Charles Park District. “This $600,000 grant for renovations at East Side Sports Complex will allow the district to continue to meet its community’s needs.”

OSLAD grant funding will go a long way toward fulfilling a particular portion of the park district’s master plan, which calls for upgrades at East Side Sports Complex. Among the list of new amenities the grant funding will go toward are the addition of four pickleball courts, a 40-yard dash practice area, a challenge course and an electronic, interactive play feature and seating plaza, both near the south playground.

Renovations will include resurfacing the basketball courts and tennis courts, improvements to the sand volleyball courts, converting the softball field to turf, adding shade to the softball field dug outs, and removing fencing at the skate park along with upgrading its amenities.

Completion of the upgrade project is expected by Memorial Day weekend 2026, said Rudow, adding that construction-related work would be scheduled with regard to planned park usage.

“We need to be sensitive to the current activities and sports tournaments out there,” she said.

This project was one of 111 state projects selected for nearly $55 million in OSLAD grant funding.

Being named a recipient of an OSLAD grant is one of the best days of the year, Rudow said, noting the park district is thankful to receive significant funding from the state that will benefit local residents.