Frankfort Park District To Renovate Windy Hill Park With Grant Award

FRANKFORT, IL — Frankfort residents can look forward to an updated playground and site amenities at Windy Hill Park thanks to a grant from the State of Illinois for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD).

The Park District was awarded $174,000 for the upgrades to the park, which is located along Old Plank Road Trail east of Pfeiffer Road. The OSLAD grant is a matching grant, which means the Park District will contribute an equal amount to the project, according to Frankfort Park District Gina Hassett.

The Park District met with members of the community in the summer of 2021 to discuss the site plan that was included in the grant application and has been waiting for the State to give notice of the grant awardees, which was announced Friday.

Hassett said the Park District will be looking to add some playground equipment and amenities that are more "nature based."

The grant money will allow for the Windy Hill Park project to include items that would not be included due to budget constraints, according to the Park District.

Bidding for the project is expected to take place in the fall, and construction could begin in 2023, according to the Park District.

The State handed out $30.3 million in OSLAD grants for 87 local park projects that will help communities acquire open space and develop and improve recreational facilities throughout Illinois, according to a new release from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office.

"Investments in our local parks are investments in our communities," Pritzker said. "Park projects don't just create jobs and boost local economic development — they open the gateway for a healthier, happier Illinois. Every family in our state deserves nearby access to outdoor public spaces where they can gather with their friends and neighbors — and enjoy some sunshine, too."

The funding for the OSLAD grant program comes from the State of IL Real Estate transfer tax.