Provides financial assistance to eligible local governments for park and recreation unit construction projects. Park or recreation unit construction project include the acquisition, development, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvements, architectural planning, and installation of capital facilities consisting, but not limited to, buildings, structures, and land for park and recreation purposes and open spaces and natural areas.

N/A

The program was created by Public Act 096-0820, effective November 18, 2009. IDNR is authorized to award grants for park or recreation unit construction projects with funds appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund.

20 ILCS 805/805-70 30 ILCS 764/ (Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act of 2009)

Provide for park and recreation facilitites restoration, development and acquisition by local units of government through competitive reimbursement grants.

Yes

28.1 The purpose of this Agreement is to enable IDNR to provide financial assistance to the Grantee to acquire and/or develop land for outdoor recreation facilities that are open and accessible to the public in Illinois. 28.2 IDNR and the Grantee agree to perform this Agreement in accordance with the PARC Grant Program (30 ILCS §764/10-1 et seq.); with the rules promulgated pursuant to that Act (17 Ill. Adm. Code 3070.10 et seq.); and, with the terms, promises, conditions, plans, specifications, maps, and assurances contained in the approved Project Application, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement. 28.3 The agreement is subject to the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act (30 ILCS 705/1 et seq.). 28.4 The Grantee agrees to complete the project in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations. 28.5 In connection with project construction, and the subsequent operation and maintenance of the facilities, the Grantee agrees that it shall be responsible for and obtain all permits, licenses, or forms of consent required to complete the project. Failure to obtain any required permit or approval may jeopardize grant reimbursement and/or cause debarment. 28.6 Grantee will complete project construction in accordance with all laws of the State of Illinois governing purchases and procurement by the local Grantee. 28.7 Conflict of Interests (17 Ill. Adm. Code 3070.70): a. No official or employee of the local political subdivision who is authorized in his or her official capacity to negotiate, make, accept, or approve or to take part in decisions regarding a contract or subcontract in connection with an approved PARC grant project shall have any financial or other personal interest in any such contract or subcontract. b. No person performing services for the local political subdivision in connection with an approved PARC grant project shall have a financial or other personal interest other than his or her employment or retention by the local political subdivision in any contract or subcontract in connection with an approved PARC grant project. No officer or employee of such person retained by the local political subdivision shall have any financial or other personal interest in any real property acquired under an approved PARC grant project unless that interest is openly disclosed upon the public records of the local political subdivision and the officer, employee or person has not participated in the acquisition for or on behalf of the local political subdivision. 28.8 If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected. No course of dealing or failure of IDNR to enforce strictly any term, right or condition of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such term, right or condition. No express waiver of any term, right or condition of this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any other term, right or condition. 28.9 No assignment of grant provisions or duties is allowed. 28.10 This Agreement, including the project application by reference, any attachments, and the General Provisions and Certifications attached hereto, constitutes the entirety of the grant agreement between the Grantee and IDNR and supersedes all other agreements, whether written or oral, and may not be amended or modified except by a written instrument executed by both parties. 28.11 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed only in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. Any liability of IDNR under this Agreement shall be limited to the amount of the grant. Any dispute relating to this Agreement shall be adjudicated in the Illinois Court of Claims and shall be governed by the Court of Claims Act (705 ILCS 505/1 et seq.). 28.12 All facilities constructed with PARC assistance must be designed and developed to fully accommodate accessibility standards as per the Illinois Accessibility Code Standards, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and the regulations thereunder (28 CFR 35.130). 28.13 The sponsoring agency must observe and comply with the provisions of the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130/4), which apply to the wages of laborers, mechanics and other workers employed in any public works, and with the prevailing wage requirements of the Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500/25-60) (see 17 Ill. Adm. Code 3070.70(k)). 28.14 Grantee agrees to comply with the provisions of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act (30 ILCS 575/) and the equal employment practices of Section 2-105 of the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-105) (see 30 ILCS 105/45). 28.15 Intellectual Property a. All intellectual property ("IP") rights (including copyright, patent, and any other rights) in materials arising out of or resulting from Grantee’s use of the grant funds or any earning thereon (the “Public Materials”), including by way of example but not as limitation, any posters and promotional materials, photographs, maps, drawings, charts, reports, brochures, blueprints, website pages, and source code, shall be owned by Grantee unless Grantee materially breaches the terms of this Agreement. b. To ensure that the Public Materials are widely and generally available to the public who has paid for their production, Grantee hereby grants to IDNR a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, paid-up, worldwide, sublicenseable license to use, copy, or publish the Public Materials by any means or media in connection with any activity of IDNR. c. Grantee shall provide to all employees and agents of Grantee who might otherwise be entitled to claim any authorship or ownership or IP interest in such Public Materials (including but not limited to architects, photographers, graphic designers, web designers, sculptors, and contractors) a copy of this clause and shall obtain such employees' and agents' acknowledgment and agreement (1) that any employee or non-employee's contributions to any such Public Materials shall be considered Grantee property and/or works for hire, and (2) that to the extent that the Public Materials are not so considered, that all such contributors assign their rights therein, whether under patent, copyright, trade secret, or trademark law, and including moral rights, in perpetuity or for the longest period otherwise permitted by law, to Grantee such that Grantee can effectively grant the above-described license. Grantee shall allow IDNR full access to the project site and materials, both during the grant term and after completion, for documentation, inspection, publicity, photography, promotion, or similar purposes. 28.16 Financial Records and Audit Requirements a. The Grantee shall maintain, for a minimum of 3 years following project completion, satisfactory financial accounts, documents, and records associated with the project and the disbursement of grant funds pursuant to this Agreement and shall make them available to IDNR and the State of Illinois, Auditor General or Attorney General, for auditing at reasonable times. Failure by the Grantee to maintain such accounts, documents, and records as required herein shall establish a presumption in favor of the State of Illinois for recovery of any funds paid by the State per this Agreement for which adequate records are not available to support their purported disbursement. b. Grantees receiving a cumulative total of $500,000 or more in PARC assistance in a given year are required to have an agency-wide annual financial and compliance audit conducted, as is generally required by 1) state law (65 ILCS 5/8-8-1 et seq. or 55 ILCS 5/6-31001 et seq.) or 2) by the Grantee’s own governing body, as applicable. A copy of the audit must be provided to IDNR, upon request, OR if any findings (irregularities) involving the PARC grant are reported in the audit. c. All required audits must be conducted by an independent certified public accountant, licensed by the State of Illinois, and must be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The Grantee shall be responsible for procuring all required audits in accordance with its normal procurement rules, providing that these rules promote open competitive procurement. d. The Grantee shall be responsible for timely action in resolving any audit findings or questioned project costs. In the event that questioned costs are ultimately deemed disallowed as determined by IDNR or its representative, the Grantee shall be responsible for repayment of such costs. 28.17 The Grants Manual, a copy of which the IDNR previously provided to the Grantee, is hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a material and binding part of this Agreement. The undersigned acknowledges that he or she (1) has reviewed that Grants Manual and (2) agrees to comply with same. ________ (initials of signator).

Government Organizations;

Local agencies eligible for assistance under this program are any unit of local government with the authority to expend public funds for the acquisition and development of land for public indoor or outdoor park, recreation, or conservation purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, counties, townships, municipalities, park districts, conservation districts, forest preserve districts and river conservancy districts. Read - Act 17 ILL.ADM.Code 3070 section 3070.20

N/A

Project Grants

Quality of Natural, Cultural, and Environmental Resources

N/A

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM on the application submission closing date. Funding decisions may take up to 1 year.

IDNR will publish pre-application coordination opportunities on our website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/PARC-Grant.aspx

The following factors are used by the Department in evaluating and recommending local project applications for funding consideration. Department grant staff, in consultation with executive and appropriate resource staff, review all applications in accordance with the established evaluation criteria in this Section. Department grant staff recommendations are forwarded to the Director for PARC grant approval. a) Statewide Local Needs Assessment – 55% 1) useful life of existing facilities and improvements in comparison to the Department's schedule of Useful Life of Park and Recreation Facilities 2) address public health and safety needs 3) sponsor has high economic need 4) correct accessibility deficiencies as defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act (42 USC 12101) 5) projects that provide the greatest benefit in terms of cost per capita within the applicant's jurisdictional boundaries 6) land acquisition b) Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Priorities – 10% Projects are evaluated in terms of their ability to address major outdoor recreation and conservation issues identified by the Department in its Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan. These include, but are not limited to, natural area and wetland preservation, protection of endangered/threatened species and critical habitat resources, conservation education, creation of greenways and long-distance trail corridors, water-based recreation, recreation for disadvantaged populations and adaptive re-use/redevelopment of urban lands, including brownfields. c) Project Concept and Site Characteristics – 15% The project proposal is evaluated in terms of the site's physical and aesthetic qualities, including accessibility; soil, topographic and hydrologic characteristics; site vegetation; compatibility with adjacent land uses; environmental intrusion on the site; impacts to cultural and natural resources; suitability for the construction of a new building, structure or facility; and the overall recreational diversity provided by the project. Consideration is also given for the use of recycled materials, composting, water or resource-conservancy materials, methods, products or practices. d) Local Planning – 10% The major consideration under this criterion is public support and input into the project plan and existence of a comprehensive local recreation and/or open space plan identifying the proposed project as a priority. Consideration is also given for unique recreational opportunities not specifically identified in a local plan but having documented widespread public support. e) Other Considerations – 10% Relevant factors considered in evaluating the overall merits of a project and need for funding include projects located in inner-urban areas; involving land acquisitions of a time-sensitive nature; proposing initial site development; involving private donations; representing economic revitalization efforts; or from applicants not previously benefitting from PARC assistance. Consideration is given to the applicant's past performance in completing open space lands acquisition and development (OSLAD) or other Department grant projects or unresolved project violations and the ability to properly maintain the project site.

Each applicant will be notified by letter and/or email of the Director’s decision regarding whether their application will be recommendation for awarding. The full process can take up to 1 year.

Award cycle dates may vary

Funding decisions may take up to 1 year

Appeals pursuant To 44 Il Admin Code 7000.350

No cost extensions are allowed without prior DNR approval

Provides reimbursements up to 75% of approved project costs, with the exception of those local governments defined as “disadvantaged”, which will be eligible for up to 90% funding. The DNR may limit any one single project to a maximum of no more than 10% of the amount released for any fiscal year. Of the total amount of PARC projects awarded statewide, 20% shall be awarded to the Chicago Park District, provided that the Chicago Park District complies with the provisions of State law and PARC rules, and 80% shall be awarded to local government units outside of the City of Chicago. Application schedule and award dates vary.

Eligible project costs include indoor/outdoor recreation facilities, utility work, reconstruction or improvement of existing buildings or facilities, expansion of buildings/facilities, and new construction of buildings/structures. Additionally, land acquisition projects for public park recreation and conservation purposes; open space/conservation purposes to protect floodplains, wetlands, natural areas, wildlife habitat and unique geologic and biologic features, and additions to such areas. Ineligible for PARC assistance • Architectural/engineering project as a standalone project with no development is not eligible. If the project includes both development and architectural/engineering, it is eligible. • Operational costs No grant funds awarded by the Department shall be used for operational costs. • Not bondable Example: a local sponsor wants to construct new playground with no other project components. This would not be eligible because it would not have a life span of 20 years and would not be bondable. • Schools not allowed to restrict grant funded areas to school activity only. It must be open to the general public. • projects with a total cost of less than $25,000; • feasibility studies, long-range development plans, master plans, and historical or archaeological research; • Costs of repairs or maintenance that are normally anticipated to occur; • Remodeling of a limited nature or scope that is not done as part of a larger bondable project; • Costs of staff or resident labor and material; • Ongoing operational and administrative expenses; • Installation of fire alarms, smoke detectors, or connections of building monitoring systems to a central or off-site central monitor, unless included in a larger bondable project; and • Purchase of vehicles or construction equipment. • Acquisition of land from another public agency (excluding school districts) is not eligible for PARC grant assistance. • Project costs for which reimbursement is sought cannot be incurred by the project applicant prior to grant approval notification. Costs incurred prior to Department approval are ineligible for grant assistance with the exception of architectural and engineering fees. For acquisition projects, costs are considered incurred when a property deed, lease or other conveyance is accepted by the local sponsor or first payment is made on the project property or to an escrow account for the property. • Development project costs are considered incurred on the date construction contracts are signed or actual physical work begins on the project site or project materials are delivered. • No grant funds shall be awarded for the acquisition or development of land that will not be available for general public indoor/outdoor recreation use. • PARC grant funds cannot be used to match other State or federal grant funds.

Financial reporting will include all funds including matching funds spent in the undertaking of the project and interest earned on advanced payments. Various types of reporting are required for grant agreements awarded under this grant, including: Performance Progress Reporting: The local sponsor shall be required to provide reporting of its activities under this project. The IDNR may withhold or suspend payment if the local sponsor fails to submit the required reports. The following reports are required under this Agreement and the forms are provided in the Implementation and Billing Packet that will be received upon award. Periodic Financial Reports: The local sponsor is required to provide to the IDNR quarterly progress reports that describe the progress of the project and expenditures of funds according to the budget line items as detailed in the approved Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance. The Quarterly Progress Report will be due as follows: Quarterly Progress Report Due By: April 1 | July 1 | October 1 | January 1

Audit requirements per JCAR Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90

All financial records on approved projects must be maintained and retained, in accordance with State laws, by the project sponsor for possible State audit after final reimbursement payment is made by the Department.

422-11-1165

TBD

PARC grants can provide 75% to 90% of eligible project costs for the acquisition and development of land for public indoor/outdoor park, recreation or conservation purposes. Maximum grant award to any one project is $2,800,000.00. Minimum total project cost is $25,000.

Renovation or construction of indoor recreation facilities is the priority of this program since they are not eligible under other IDNR grant programs.

JCAR TITLE 17: CONSERVATION CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCHAPTER g: GRANTS PART 3070 PARK AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY CONSTRUCTION ACT GRANT PROGRAM

N/A

One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/PARC-Grant.aspx

OSLAD, LWCF, RTP

1. Acquisition Projects • Acquisition of capital facilities consisting of buildings, structures and land for parks; or • Acquisition of open spaces and natural areas, as defined in Section 3050.10 of the Illinois Open Land Trust Act. The Act provides for grants to be disbursed for the purpose of acquiring lands for the protection of lakes, rivers, streams, opens space, parks, natural lands, wetlands, prairies, forests, watersheds, resource-rich areas, greenways, significant fish and wildlife resources, endangered or threatened species habitat, and for public outdoor natural resource related recreation purposes. • Construction of new public indoor/outdoor recreation buildings, structures and facilities; • Expansion of existing public indoor/outdoor recreation buildings, structures and facilities; • General park purposes such as regional, community and neighborhood parks and playfields; • Frontage on public surface waters for recreation use; • Open space/conservation purposes to protect floodplains, wetlands, natural areas, wildlife habitat and unique geologic or biologic features; • Linear corridors for trails and/or greenways; and • Additions to the projects described in subsections (a)(3)(A) through (F). 2. Development Projects • Development, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, architectural planning and installation of buildings, structures and related infrastructure for park or recreation purposes. • Outdoor recreation facilities such as playgrounds, trails, sport fields, shelters, etc. See section above on what makes a project bondable.

5/1/2023

FY 2020 : $10,804,000
FY 2021 : $25,000,000
FY 2023 : $28,000,000