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MEPRD Community Planning Grant Program is a grant from the Metro East Park and Recreation District (administered through the Mississippi Earthtones Resource Conservation and Development Council) that funds the development and modernization of jurisdiction-wide master plans for parks, greenspace, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and forestry and natural habitat in Madison and St. Clair Counties, Illinois.
The FY 2026 program has committed $400,000 and offers awards of up to $40,000, with a maximum of 80% of total eligible project costs covered by MEPRD tax revenue sources. Eligible applicants are public agencies with authority to acquire and develop public parks or recreation lands in these two counties.
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MEPRD Community Planning Grant Program ⚠️ Please note: The Park and Trail Grant Program is currently closed to new applications. Metro East Park and Recreation District MEPRD has committed $400,000 to the FY 2026 Community Planning Grant Program .
This program promotes the development and modernization of jurisdiction-wide Parks & Greenspace Master Plans , Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plans , and Forestry, Natural Habitat, and Water Quality Management Master Plans (FHMPs) to enhance public parks, trails, and local habitats. FY 2026 Grant Application Important Changes to the FY 2026 Program Maximum Grant Award : The previous cumulative award cap has been removed.
Qualifying past applicants may now request up to the full $40,000 maximum for a different eligible plan type in a new cycle. Cost Share Requirement : The total contribution from all MEPRD tax revenue sources (including this grant and any County PEP or Parks Grant funds) is now limited to a maximum of 80% of the total eligible project cost.
New Eligible Plan Type : Jurisdiction-wide Forestry, Natural Habitat, and Water Quality Management Master Plans (FHMPs) are now eligible for funding as a standalone project or combined with another eligible plan type. Click the button above to open the application. Download the PDF to your computer.
Close all internet browser windows. Open the saved PDF from your computer. Fill in and save the contents of the application as you work on it.
Test this process out before spending time filling in all of the fields! Note that you will need a PDF reader/editing software installed on your computer, such as Adobe Acrobat. Application Submittal/Deadline Applications for the FY 2026 Community Planning Grant Program are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting July 9, 2025, at 7:30 a.
m. — May 29, 2026, at 3:00 p. m.
* * Or until 100% of FY 2025 Program Funds are pledged, whichever comes first. Any public agency having statutory authority to acquire and develop lands for public parks, public trails, public recreation, and/or bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Madison and/or St. Clair Counties, Illinois may apply for MEPRD grant funding.
Such agencies include: NOTE: Universities, Schools, and School Districts are not eligible applicants.
Parks and Greenspace Master Planning (community-wide, township-wide, or county-wide) Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Planning (community-wide, township-wide, or county-wide) Forestry, Natural Habitat, and Water Quality Management Master Planning (community-wide, township-wide, or county-wide) * For a complete list of eligible and ineligible project types/components, refer to the application.
Program Budget and Awards The MEPRD FY 2026 Community Planning Grant Program has a total program budget of $400,000. Eligible applicants with a qualifying project type can apply for a MEPRD Community Planning Grant valued at up to $40,000 or up to 40% of the total project cost, whichever is less.
At least 60% of the total project cost must come from another source, whether that be the project sponsor, public or private funds or grants from others, or some combination thereof. * Refer to the application for complete details and requirements. Finished with a planning project funded in-part by MEPRD?
Download the MEPRD Grant Reimbursement Request Form below to begin preparing for the grant reimbursement process. Refer to page 2 of the Reimbursement Form for a checklist of required supporting documents. If you are not sure which version to use, please contact us.
FY23-26 MEPRD Community Planning Grant Reimbursement Form FY 2022 MEPRD Community Planning Grant Reimbursement Form FY20-21 MEPRD Community Planning Grant Reimbursement Form We are pleased to announce the recipients of our FY25 Community Planning Grant Program. These grants will assist communities in Madison and St.
Clair Counties, IL with developing/updating jurisdiction-wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Plans, Parks and Greenspace Plans, and/or Forestry, Natural Habitat, and Water Quality Management Plans. The list of grant awards on this page is not final . Additional recipients/awards will be added as new grant requests are received and approved by MEPRD.
The grant program will continue to accept applications until all program funds are depleted. Updated: December 2025 . Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan Development of a new, updated community-wide parks master plan for the City of Alton, IL to replace its outdated 2012 plan.
Have Questions? Need Help? If you have questions about the program or need assistance, we can help!
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact MEPRD if help is needed with verifying eligibility of a proposed project, preliminary application review, or general assistance.
Call (618) 346-4905 or Send us a message FY 2026 Community Planning Grant Balance of FY26 Program Funds as of March 2026 Total Program Budget (FY26): Pending and Remaining Funds are subject to change at any time and may increase or decrease as grant requests are reviewed and processed. Check back frequently for updates.
Reimbursement Form FY25-26 Reimbursement Form FY18-24 Reimbursement Form FY23-25 The following documents and tools are available to assist you in completing your application: Funding Scenarios Calculator GIS Viewer - Madison County GIS Viewer - St.
Clair County Park & Trail Funding Per Capita Poverty Levels by City/Village Project Expense Worksheet Use the links provided below to download an authorized version of MEPRD's logo in color or black/white: MEPRD prefers the use of the color version, unless all other sponsor logos are black/white.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Public agencies with authority to acquire and develop lands for public parks, recreation, or bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Madison and St. Clair Counties, Illinois. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $40,000 or 40% of total project cost. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
MEPRD Community Planning Grant Program is funded by Mississippi Earthtones Resource Conservation and Development Council. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Illinois. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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