Brookfield was one of six southwest suburban communities that were awarded grants for local park district projects by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
More than $55.2 million in grant funding was awarded to 100 park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and to develop recreational opportunities through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program.
“Since I became governor, it’s been my mission to build stronger, healthier communities across Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Through the OSLAD program, we’re bringing that vision to life by awarding over $55.2 million to local park projects, expanding green spaces and creating new recreational opportunities for all.”
Brookfield was awarded a $600,000 grant to help fund the redevelopment of Creekside Park, located west of Salt Creek at the intersection of Burlington and Grove Avenues.
Improvements partially funded by the grant include a new fabric shade shelter, a new playground with poured-in-place surfacing, a game table area, a single-stall restroom facility and native plantings with interpretive signage.
“I am thrilled that the OSLAD grant will assist in funding the improvements at Creekside Park,” said Brookfield Recreation Director Luke Gundersen. “This redevelopment is a major step forward in enhancing the park and creating a welcoming space for Brookfield residents to enjoy. We’re excited to begin this project and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our village.”
Creekside Park was last improved in 1999 and was impacted by storm sewer construction in 2024. The work is the first phase in a larger initiative to redevelop both the park and roughly 10 acres of oak savanna directly east of Salt Creek in the South Hollywood section of Brookfield.
In 2023, the Brookfield Conservation Commission landed a technical assistance grant from the National Park Service, to begin planning a nature recreation area. In partnership with a volunteer task force which spearheaded the initiative, the Conservation Commission and National Park Service staff have drawn up plans for the wooded area, known as Creekside Woods.
As part of that planning effort, the Conservation Commission engaged the public for input and held an Open House last February to gain additional feedback on plans for walking trails and other amenities for the new Creekside Woods recreation area.
Phase II of the initiative calls for the installation of concrete abutments to allow for construction of a bridge connecting Creekside Park and Creekside Woods. The village has applied for a separate state grant to help fund Phase II construction, which includes additional improvements to Creekside Woods.
“We are incredibly grateful and excited that Brookfield has been selected to receive the $600,000 OSLAD grant,” said Brookfield Mayor Michael Garvey. “This funding will help us move forward with the redevelopment of Creekside Park, marking the first phase of a larger initiative to connect the park to a transformed Creekside Woods nature area. These projects will provide lasting benefits to our community, and we are grateful for the state’s support in making them a reality.”
Also receiving a $600,000 grant was the Park District of La Grange to fund significant improvements at Gilbert Park, which include the picnic shelter, playground, tennis courts, multipurpose court, pollinator garden and ping pong table.
“This grant marks another exciting step forward in our mission to enhance recreational opportunities and create spaces that bring our community together,” said Jenny Bechtold, Executive Director of the Park District of La Grange.
The Berwyn Park District was awarded a $600,000 grant for improvements at Proska Park, said state Senator Mike Porfirio.
“OSLAD funding continues to be an incredible investment in our communities,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This grant will help transform Proska Park into a zone where families and children can come together and enjoy healthy recreational spaces.”
In Oak Lawn, the grant will allow the Oak Lawn Park District to update Lake Shore Park, 9610 E. Shore Drive. The project at Lake Shore Park will feature a new pollinator-themed playground with structures for 2- to 5-year-olds and 5- to 12-year-olds, a zip line, a rock climbing boulder, and a “we-go-swing.”
Other amenities planned for Lake Shore Park will be resurfaced tennis and pickleball courts, an updated asphalt walking path with new StoryWalk stations, a new “bankshot” accessible basketball game with hoops at various heights, a new outdoor classroom and lake overlook complete with a ping-pong table, and a new butterfly garden and interpretative signage with native plants and wood steppers.
Additional improvements for Lake Shore Park include a fitness zone with adult fitness equipment, shade/seating area and drinking fountain; a new game patio with ribbon shade structure that includes baggo, music play and painted games; and painted games area with three types of hopscotch.
“We are ecstatic to be including a lot of the amenities that were brought to us from community feedback,” said Tom Hartwig, executive director of the Oak Lawn Park District. “Lake Shore Park is a beautiful area that sits tucked off 95th Street, and we can’t wait for people to visit with all the new features.”
Work on Lake Shore Park is slated to be completed in 2026.
Worth Park District officials said the OSLAD grant will allow for the development of Stahlak Park, 112th Street and Natchez Avenue. The park was named in honor of Frank Stahlak, a community activist and the first president of the Worth Park District Board when it was formed in 1965.
“Stahlak Park is the only park in our system that is undeveloped and has been for many years,” said Mike McElroy, president of the Worth Park District Board. “To finally have the ability to do something here will not only complete the park district in having all its original lands developed, but enhance the neighborhood and area where the park is located.”
Also receiving a $600,000 grant was Orland Park.
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 awards announced today).
“This round of OSLAD grants represents long-awaited projects from the smallest villages of rural Illinois to Chicago and the suburbs,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “There is an impressive amount of work, creativity, and ambition that goes into planning new outdoor recreational facilities, and I’m delighted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is able to play a small part in helping communities thrive.”
“For 35 years, the OSLAD grant program has provided Illinois communities with critical matching grant funds enabling them to promote healthier lifestyles and improve the quality of life for their residents while boosting local economies and positively impacting the environment,” said Peter Murphy, president and CEO of the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
“We are very grateful to Governor Pritzker, the Illinois General Assembly, and Director Finnie for recognizing the OSLAD program’s overwhelming benefits by ensuring that these dedicated grant funds are awarded for much needed park improvement projects that assist communities throughout Illinois.”
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