Metro East Park and Recreation District
Grant Programs

• Increased Program Budget & Caps: The total FY27 program funding commitment has increased to $5,000,000. The maximum grant award for qualifying trail projects is now $500,000, and up to $250,000 for all other eligible project types. MEPRD's maximum funding percentage remains at 40% of total eligible project costs.
• Engineering (A/E) Fee Cap Adjustment: The maximum A/E Fees (i.e., the combined value of eligible preliminary engineering/design, construction engineering costs) permitted under program guidelines has been modified from 15% of the eligible project cost to 18% of eligible development costs. This simplifies the calculations while maintaining near-identical limits as before.

1. Click the download button above to open the application.
2. Download the PDF to your computer.
3. Close all internet browser windows.
4. Open the saved PDF from your computer.
5. 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.

Submission Requirement: You must submit two (2) original signed hardcopies and one (1) high-resolution electronic copy of your final application.

The FY 2027 Park & Trail Grant Program has a total program budget of $5 Million. There is no minimum grant request or award. Award maximums vary based on the project type:

• Qualifying Regional Trail Segment Projects can receive an award of up to $500,000 or 40% of eligible project costs; whichever is less.
• Park and Recreation Projects and all other eligible project types can receive an award of up to $250,000 or 40% of eligible project costs; whichever is less.

Cost Share Requirement: The Project Sponsor must contribute a minimum of 60% of the total eligible project costs utilizing any funding source (i.e., federal, state, local, public, non-public, and/or monetary contribution by the applicant).

The FY 2027 Park & Trail Grant Program operates on a first-come, first-served basis; complete applications will be accepted, reviewed, and awarded in the order received until all program funds are depleted or the program deadline, whichever comes first. Refer to the FY27 Park & Trail Grant Application for additional details.

Applications Accepted:  July 15, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. — May 31, 2027, at 3:00 p.m.
^*  Or until 100% of program funds are depleted, whichever comes first.

Any government agency having statutory authority to acquire and develop lands for public parks, public trails, and/or public recreation purposes within Madison and/or St. Clair Counties, IL may apply for MEPRD grant funding. Such agencies include:

• Municipalities
• Townships
• Counties
• Transportation Districts
• Park Districts
• Universities^* (If the project acquires or develops lands for public parks, public trails, or for other eligible types.)
• 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organizations^* (If the project acquires or develops lands for public parks, public trails, or for other eligible types.)

Schools and School Districts are not eligible applicants.

Eligible types of acquisition, development, or improvement projects must be open to the public and can include, but are not limited to:

• Parks (active/passive)
• Public Greenways, Greenspace, Wildlife Areas, Nature Preserves, and Wetlands (active/passive)
• Recreation Centers
• Shared-use Paths & Bike Lanes meeting AASHTO standards (shared-use paths must be ≥ 10' in width, hard-surfaced, and striped)
• Trail Corridors (e.g., abandoned railways or utility corridors)
• Trails/Paths (for walking, hiking, jogging, biking, equestrian, mountain biking, BMX, and paddling)
• Trailheads (for eligible trail types)
• ^*For a complete list of eligible and ineligible project components, see pgs. 11-12 of the application.

This calculator allows you to enter generic scenarios to see the impact to MEPRD's grant award and the required local match. A new web-based calculator is now available for the FY 2027 Park and Trail Grant Program. For FY26 or earlier, please use the excel version (deprecated). For more resources to assist you with completing your application, see the section titled: "Tools & Resources," on the left-hand side of this page.

Project Completion & Grant Reimbursement  

Before submitting a grant reimbursement request, please ensure your project is fully completed and all associated expenses have been paid in full. The required forms and related documents are provided below.

A complete reimbursement request must include your signed grant reimbursement form, a project expense worksheet, and all required supporting documentation. Once prepared, the package must be submitted to MEPRD for review.

Questions? Need Help? Contact MEPRD Grant Coordinator Cole Preston at (618) 346-4905 or cpreston@meprd.org.

We are pleased to announce the FY 2027 Park & Trail Grant Program is now accepting applications. As grants are reviewed and approved by the MEPRD Board of Directors, the awarded projects will be added to this list. These grants will support a variety of projects that will improve public parks and trails and enrich recreational opportunities in communities throughout Madison and St. Clair Counties, Illinois.

Please check back for updates.

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: July 2026

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 project and/or grant round eligibility, preliminary application review, or general assistance.

Call  (618) 346-4905

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