Public Notice
In partnership with West Aurora School District 129, the Fox Valley Park District has been officially approved for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers federal grant for the current school year with final budget approved on January 11, 2023 and retroactive to July 1, 2022., This grant cycle is 3 years with annual approval by ISBE. This funding would support after-school and summer enrichment programs for eligible students from the following schools: Hall, Nicholson, Schneider, and Smith Elementary Schools, as well as Jefferson Middle School. Aurora University will be the External Evaluator for the program.
Blackberry Crossing OSLAD Public Notice
Blackberry Crossing West Park is a 17-acre park located in Montgomery, Illinois, as part of the Districts’ Master Plan process, the Park District worked with the community and engineers to develop a phased approach to Master Plan implementation. Phase I Improvements were awarded FY2023 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant (OSLAD) as part of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) funding in 2022. The Park District is applying for FY2024 OSLAD funding to complete implementation of the Blackberry Crossing West Park Master Plan.
Phase I Improvements include: a Playground with ADA accessibility, Pickleball Courts, Multipurpose Athletic Fields, Concrete Game Plaza, two Shade Sail Shelters, an Asphalt Path, an Asphalt Parking Lot with 30 total spaces (2 of which will be for ADA use), Bike Racks, and a Pollinator Habitat. The Park District is seeking to complete the implementation of the Park Master Plan in Phase II with construction of a Flush Restroom Building with Drinking Fountain and Bottle Filler, Splash Pad, Half-court Basketball Courts, Sand Volleyball Courts, Asphalt Trail extension, and Concrete Bag Toss and Ping-Pong Table plaza.
Construction of Phase I improvements is anticipated to begin in Fall 2023 with estimated completion in 2024. If the Park District is awarded 2024 OSLAD funding for Phase II improvements, construction is anticipated to begin in Fall 2024 with estimated completion in 2025. As part of the grant requirements the District is seeking any comments relative to the Phase II improvements. Those can be sent to Fox Valley Park District, Attn: John Kramer, Director of Operations at jkramer@fvpd.net.
