Grant Township finding creative ways to raise money for park development; ‘We hope to attract people of all ages to the facilities’

When it comes to improving parks, playgrounds and other things outside of annual budgets, small townships must find creative ways to fund community-enriching activities.

Grant Township in Lake County has been fundraising, soliciting donations and grants for years to create a robust park facility on township property in Ingleside.

The township owns 47 acres of land -— eight of which are utilized by the township’s office and fire department. Plans for the remaining acreage include adding a tennis court, at least two pickleball courts, an outdoor fitness area, a splash pad, a nine-hole disc golf course, a walk/bicycle path, a bocce ball court and an ADA-accessible fishing station on the pond.

In the past decade, the township has already built a baseball field with a press box and concession stand, a sand volleyball court and an ADA-accessible playground on the sprawling property on Molidor Road.

Township Supervisor Kay Starostovic said the township, which is made up of four villages, doesn’t have any park that offers amenities like the ones planned for the property.

“I think it’s going to be one of the highlights (of the area),” she said. “We hope to attract people of all ages to the facilities.”

Plans are underway for engineering firm Hitchcock Design Group to acquire permits. Starostovic anticipates the construction will be bid out by January, with construction starting by April or May.

A giving community

To fund the project, the township is using a hodgepodge of grants, fees from building permits, township dollars and donations from community members.

Starostovic said the Hitchcock group is helping the township stretch the limited dollars for the park project.

The township received a National Fitness Grant, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, to support a fitness court on the park property to be used by all community members.

Starostovic also anticipates it will be used by the fire department for training, and high school athletes who often use the park for practices.

A $600,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was also awarded to the township. Additionally, impact fees from permits for a new housing development near the property are being used for the project.

Residents expressed excitement for the new amenities during a required public hearing for the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant from the Department of Natural Resources.

The excitement manifested into donations to the project.

Administrative assistant Nancy Rogers has been responsible for community fundraising. Rogers organized 5K fun runs, fish fries and community festivals to help raise funds for the park.

“All these years we’ve raised money because we try not to put the burden of tax on the community,” Starostovic said. “I always tell people, Grant Township may not be the richest, but it’s probably the most giving.”