State funding is on the way to help stimulate education, recreation and performing arts in northern Winnebago County. A $704,000 grant will help fund the construction of a community center and a park at the 4500 block of Hononegah Road in Roscoe Township.
The Rockford Register Star stated that the complex will be located on 17 acres. It will also include the original home of Roscoe Township's first settler, Robert J. Cross.
The historic home was built in the early 1840's and then purchased by the township in 2018.
"We have heard a lot of people say that they would like a place where they can gather. We don't have it all worked out yet but we're thinking the community center can house after-school programs for kids who aren't in sports. We would like to see it be a community-driven project. We have the money to build the community center and the parking lot right now. Getting the $700,000 is going to let us move on to those other projects a lot quicker."
Administrative assistant to Roscoe Township Supervisor | Dawn Cassady
Plans for what will be called Founders Park will include the following:
- Open pavilion with seating
- A vendor area for outdoor events
- Indoor antique farm equipment displays
- Farmer's market area
- Walking paths
- Community gardens
No timetable has been given yet for this project except that it will be a multiyear project.
The funding came from the Park and Recreational Construction Act grant program which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The PARC grant program provides up to 90% of project costs to help build, renovate and improve recreational buildings used by the public or to purchase land to be used for public access and recreational purposes, with local governments responsible for matching the value of the grants awarded.
The funding for Roscoe Township was part of about $25 million in state grants announced by Governor JB Pritzker's office this week to help local governments construct or renovate buildings or purchase land to be used for public access and recreation.
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, other PARC grant recipients and information on the projects are listed below:
Alsip Park District (Cook County) $2,500,000: A development project to expand the existing facility to include an indoor walking track, an additional multi-purpose gymnasium, an expanded fitness center, an indoor playground, additional program spaces including senior/teen areas and seating in the existing gymnasium.
Chicago Park District - Calumet Park (Cook County) $750,000: A development project to restore interior finishes through the first floor of the park's recreation facility including plaster, painting, other finishes of the walls, ceilings, doors and windows. ADA upgrades in the restrooms, shower rooms and locker rooms including plumbing, fixtures, partitions, and lockers.
Chicago Park District - Cornell Square Park (Cook County) $1,000,000: A development project to restore exterior concrete, restoration or replacement of windows and doors, and ADA upgrades in the restrooms and locker rooms including plumbing, fixtures, partitions and lockers.
Chicago Park District - Franklin Park Facility (Cook County) $750,000: A development project to restore or replace windows and doors, ADA upgrades in the restrooms and locker rooms, and main lobby ADA accessibility improvements.
Chicago Park District - Garfield Park (Cook County) $1,000,000: A development project to restore or replace masonry, windows, doors, and structural decking of the park's recreation facility. Electrical upgrades, exterior site work which includes the hardscape pavement of the accessible pathway, stairs, terrace, and landscape work is also planned.
To see more, go to: www2.illinois.gov/dnr/news/Pages/Governor-Pritzker-Announces-$24.9-Million-for--Park-and-Recreational-Facility-Projects.aspx
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