Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant
Illinois OSLAD grants fund local government projects to acquire and develop public parks, open spaces, and natural areas to expand outdoor recreation and preserve natural resources statewide.
Funder: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: July 1, 2026 (Application open) | August 31, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,725,000 for acquisition (counties >2M residents); up to $1,125,000 for acquisition (other areas); up to $600,000 for development; 50% match (90% for distressed communities); $37.5M total available (FY27).
Summary: State-funded, competitive grants for local governments to acquire and develop land for public parks and open spaces in Illinois.
Key Information: Applications must be submitted via AmpliFund; strict eligibility and documentation rules apply.
Description
The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program is an annual, state-financed grant competition administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The program provides matching funds to eligible local government agencies for the acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and open space. OSLAD is designed to support a wide variety of projects, from small neighborhood parks to large community or county parks and natural areas, with the goal of expanding outdoor recreation opportunities and preserving natural resources throughout Illinois. Funding is sourced from a dedicated portion of the state's Real Estate Transfer Tax.
