FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 1, 2023
Contact: Derek Harms
Phone: (217) 544-1751 ext. 1000
SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT AWARDED $600,000 OSLAD GRANT TO CONSTRUCT MODERN SPLASH PAD IN GIETL PARK!
[Springfield, IL] - Springfield Park District has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to assist in transitioning Veteran’s Memorial Pool into a modern splash pad located in Gietl Park at 1900 Stanhope Road.
Springfield Park District’s project is one of 118 projects funded throughout the state of Illinois by the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program and the only one funded in Sangamon County. This program is funded from a dedicated percentage of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax and awarded to local governments to develop land for public outdoor recreation.
Constructed in the 1960’s, Veteran’s Memorial Pool is past its useful life. OSLAD funds combined with $200,000 in Park District Capital Improvement funds will allow the Park District to replace the dated pool with a modern ADA accessible splash pad. Springfield Park District began soliciting community input on the design of a new splash pad at Gietl Park in 2022. Following a public meeting and an online survey, the Springfield Park District incorporated feedback from numerous participants to help create a splash pad design that will meet the needs of the community.
Planned improvements to Gietl Park include the demolition of the existing outdoor pool and bathhouse, and construction of a large, modern splash pad designed for multiple age groups. This project will include perimeter fencing and gates, concrete plazas and walkways, park shelter, lighting, site furnishings, and landscaping.
“Improving Gietl Park is one of my top priorities. Thanks to Governor Pritzker and the OSLAD grant, the Springfield Park District will be able to renovate a beloved neighborhood park in a distressed part of our community with exciting new facilities that can be enjoyed by all.” - Leslie Sgro, Park Board President.
The community is invited to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new project this summer. The date of the groundbreaking will be announced later in the spring.
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For more information on this topic and any other Park District news related items, please visit our website at www.springfieldparks.org