Metro East Park and Recreation District
Grant Programs

• Cross-County Planning Contracts: Municipalities whose boundaries extend outside of Madison or St. Clair Counties are now provided the flexibility to use a single consultant contract for a community-wide plan. However, MEPRD grant funds will only cover the proportional planning costs associated with the geographic area located strictly within Madison or St. Clair County. Application budgets and consultant invoices must clearly separate eligible (in-district) from ineligible (out-of-district) costs.
• Eligible Plan/Project Types: The project type Forestry, Natural Habitat, and Water Quality Management Master Planning has been renamed to Natural Resources Master Planning for simplicity. Applicants may seek funding for a standalone Natural Resources Master Plan or pair it with a jurisdiction-wide Parks Plan and/or Bike-Ped Plan for a combined project.

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 Community Planning Grant Program has a total program budget of $400,000.

Maximum Grant Award: 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.

Cost Share Requirement: At least 60% of the total project cost must come from another source (i.e., federal, state, local, public, non-public, and/or monetary contribution by the applicant).

The FY 2027 Community Planning 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 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 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, IL may apply for MEPRD grant funding. Such agencies include:

• Municipalities
• Townships
• Counties
• Transportation Districts
• Park Districts

NOTE: Universities, Schools, and School Districts are not eligible applicants.

The following plan types are eligible for MEPRD Community Planning Grant assistance:

• Parks and Greenspace Master Planning
  (community-wide, township-wide, or county-wide)
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Planning
  (community-wide, township-wide, or county-wide)
• Natural Resources Master Planning
  (community-wide, township-wide, or county-wide)

^*For a complete list of eligible and ineligible project types/components, refer to the application.

Project Completion & Grant Reimbursement  

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.

We are pleased to announce the FY 2027 Community Planning 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 assist communities with developing/updating jurisdiction-wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Plans, Parks and Greenspace Plans, and/or Natural Resources Plans.

Please check back for updates.

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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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