Park and Recreational Facility Construction Program (PARC) is a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) that provides 75% to 90% funding assistance to units of local government for park and recreation facility construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and improvement projects. Economically disadvantaged communities are eligible for up to 90% funding.

Eligible applicants include counties, townships, municipalities, park districts, conservation districts, forest preserve districts, and other local government units authorized under Illinois law to acquire and develop land for public park, recreation, or conservation purposes. The application deadline for the current cycle is October 1, 2026.

PARC - Park and Recreational Facility Construction (FY23) PARC - Park and Recreational Facility Construction (FY23) 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.

Park and Recreational Facility Construction Grant Program (PARC) is offered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

The PARC program is a grant program that provides 75% to 90% (90% for disadvantaged communities) funding assistance to units of local government; counties, townships, municipalities, park districts, conservation districts, forest preserve districts, river conservancy districts and any other unit of local government authorized by Illinois law to expend public funds for the acquisition and development of land for public indoor/outdoor park, recreation or conservation purposes.

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. Funding Opportunity Number https://il.

amplifund. com/Public/Opportunities/Details/62966785-d3e0-4e9e-b732-ec2510c6ec42 Funding Source Description The PARC program is a funded through State General Obligation Bonds. 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.

The PARC program shall operate on a reimbursement basis providing up to the following maximum percentages for funding assistance: a) Of the total amount of PARC project funds 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 this Part, and 80% shall be awarded to local government units outside of the City of Chicago.

b) Any grant under the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act [30 ILCS 764] (Act) to a local government shall be conditioned upon the State providing assistance up to 75% of the approved project costs, with the exception of those local governments defined as disadvantaged, which shall be eligible for up to 90% State funding assistance provided that no more than 10% of the amount so appropriated in any fiscal year under the Act is made available for disadvantaged local governments.

c) The Department will determine which local governments are considered disadvantaged based on calculations using the most current published Illinois Census data and Illinois Department of Revenue information. The Department may consider a unit of local government's request for inclusion as a disadvantaged applicant. If so requested, the unit of local government must submit verifiable data to justify its request.

The Department may consider other available data in its calculations but reserves the final determination on whether an applicant meets the definition of a disadvantaged community. Other Funding Requirement Submission Timeline Additional Information Completed applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm on the submission close date in order to be reviewed for awarding.

Allow Multiple Applications Application Review Start Date / Pre-Qualification Deadline Question Submission Information Question Submission Open Date Question Submission Close Date Question Submission Email Address Question Submission Additional Information For grant program specific questions contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. For questions specific to the AmpliFund program contact: support@il-amplifund. zendesk.

com https://il-amplifund. zendesk. com Applicant Eligibility Information Beneficiary Eligibility Information Credentials Documentation Eligibility Information Additional Eligibility Information Applicant Eligibility: Distribution of funds is limited to local agencies eligible for assistance under this program.

Eligible local agencies 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.

Beneficiary Eligibility: N/A Credentials Documentation: N/A Additional Information URL https://www2. illinois. gov/dnr/grants/Pages/PARC-Grant.

aspx Additional Information URL Description Illinois Department of Natural Resources Park and Recreational Facilities Construction Program Award Administration Information Once a final decision has been made, the successful applicant will be notified by email and/or letter of any final requirements before the state grant can be awarded to them.

Once all the final requirements have been completed, the Grant Agreement between IDNR and the local sponsor will be sent for the local sponsor to sign and return. Once the agreement is fully executed by the IDNR a copy will be returned to the local sponsor. Only after the Grant Agreement has been signed by the Director can expenses be incurred for grant reimbursement, with the exception of design and engineering costs mentioned above.

Any expenses incurred outside of the grant period (before or after) are at the local sponsor’s risk and are not eligible either as match or for reimbursement related to the grant unless a waiver has been previously issued. Administrative and National Policy Requirements The Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), 30 ILCS 708/1 et seq. is the Administrative Code that this grant will be governed under.

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: State Awarding Agency Contacts Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Grant Management and Assistance Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act Grant Program One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702-1271 By e-mail: DNR. grants@illinois. gov More information can be found at IDNR’s website: https://www.

dnr. illinois. gov/grants/Pages/default.

aspx The State of Illinois is not obligated to make any award of the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act Grant Program resulting from this Notice of Funding Opportunity. Only the Director of Natural Resources makes the determination of which grants shall be awarded after considering the recommendations. Grant applicants are not authorized to proceed on their projects until the Director has signed the Grant Agreement.

Project Evaluation Priorities The following factors are used by the Department in evaluating and recommending local project applications for funding consideration. These priorities are listed in this Section and also available in the Department's PARC Local Participation Grant Manual (available from Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Grant Administration, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702-1271).

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; and 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. 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. Review and Selection Process The Department will review, evaluate and prioritize the applications utilizing the criteria listed above.

Awarding of grants is on a competitive basis and made under authority and directive of the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. In arriving at a final determination, the Director will consider the recommendations of Department staff, Department of Natural Resources Advisory Board Members and the criteria listed above.

The Director of the Department of Natural Resources, with staff, reviews and prioritizes project applications according to the established program rating criteria. The Director makes final decisions concerning PARC grant awards. Once a decision has been reached, awarded projects will be announced.

Merit-Based Review Appeals Process In compliance with GATA, applicants have the right to appeal the evaluation process but not the evaluation score. More information is available at: http://ilga. gov/commission/JCAR/admincode/044/044070000D03500R.

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