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Metro East Park and Recreation DistrictGrant Programs

Metro East Park and Recreation District
Park & Trail Grant Program


Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) committed $3,000,000 to the FY 2024 Park & Trail Grant Program. The program was created in a manner to fulfill two primary objectives: (1) encourage the development of regional trail segments throughout MEPRD's jurisdiction; and (2) increase MEPRD's grant funding for park projects located in currently underserved locations.


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The FY 2024 Park & Trail Grant Program has a total program budget of $3,000,000.

There is no minimum grant request or award. Award maximums vary based on the project type:

  • Regional Trail Segment Projects can receive an award of up to $300,000 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 $100,000 or 40% of eligible project costs; whichever is less.

The FY 2024 Park & Trail Grant Program operates under two consecutive grant rounds, i.e., "Grant Round #1" and "Grant Round #2." Not all projects will qualify for Grant Round #1; refer to the grant round eligibility criteria detailed in the grant application before submitting your application or contact MEPRD for help. Awards will be made on a first-come first-served basis. Refer to pages 3-5 of the FY24 Park & Trail Grant Application for complete details.

  • Grant Round #1:  July 12, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. — August 31, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.*
  • Grant Round #2:  September 1, 2023, at 7:30 a.m. — May 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.*
  • *Or until 100% of program funds are depeleted, 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.)
  • NOTE: 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)
  • 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. Microsoft Excel is needed to use this tool, and it is best viewed on a P.C. For more resources to assist you with completing your application, see the section titled: "Tools & Resources," on the left-hand side of this page.

We are pleased to announce the recipients of our latest round of Park & Trail Grant awards under the FY24 Park & Trail Grant Program. 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.

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: February 2024.


  • Alton, City of
  • Project Title: Killion Park Restoration
    Grant Amount: $81,233
    Project Scope: Installation of a prefabricated restroom (10' x 17') at James H. Killion Park. Includes concrete pad with ADA sidewalk connection, exterior-mounted ADA drinking fountain, and ADA-compliant interior.
  • Belleville, City of
  • Project Title: Citizens Park Improvements
    Grant Amount: $100,000
    Project Scope: Removal and replacement of the concession structure, restrooms, and bleachers at the "upper" ballfield at Citizens Park with a new 800 sq-ft. combination concession/restrooms building with PCC pad, eight (8) picnic tables, and aluminum bleachers.
  • Bethalto, Village of
  • Project Title: Erwin Plegge Multi-Use Path Phase 1
    Grant Amount: $300,000
    Project Scope: Construction of a 0.57-mile, 10' wide shared-use path along the north side of Erwin Plegge Expressway, from Old Bethalto Road to Ashbrook Street.
  • Caseyville Township
  • Project Title: Picnic Shelters/Pavilions and Tables
    Grant Amount: $25,600
    Project Scope: Construction of two (2) 24' x 32' pavilions at Caseyville Township Recreation Complex. Also includes eight (8) picnic tables, PCC pad, and electrical installation at each pavilion.
  • Edwardsville, City of
  • Project Title: Schwarz Street Shared-Use Path
    Grant Amount: $66,604.51
    Project Scope: Construction of a 0.12-mile, concrete shared-use path (10') along West Schwarz Street, from the sidewalk along IL-157 to Brent Leh Dog Park on Olive Street.
  • Edwardsville Township
  • Project Title: Trail Connection, Solar & Drinking Fountain
    Grant Amount: $28,080
    Project Scope: Improvements to Edwardsville Township Community Park (“Airplane Park”), including construction of a 260 ft. asphalt trail connection to the existing nature trail, installation of solar panels atop the maintenance shed, and installation of a drinking fountain along the MCT Nickel Plate Trail.
  • Glen Carbon, Village of
  • Project Title: Glen Carbon Road Shared-Use Path Phase 2
    Grant Amount: $300,000
    Project Scope: Construction of a 0.3-mile, 10' wide shared-use path segment along Glen Carbon Road, from Lakeshore Drive to Mark Trail Drive.
  • Horner Park District
  • Project Title: Sidewalk/Walking Trail Installation and Playground Equipment Upgrades
    Grant Amount: $12,867.76
    Project Scope: Improvements to Horner Park, incl. installation of new, accessible playground equipment (new swing set w/ all-inclusive swing, wheelchair-accessible spinner, and ‘kiddie cushion’ surfacing) and installation of a 350’ concrete walking path (4’).
  • Madison County Transit (MCT)
  • Project Title: MCT Schoolhouse Trail | Route 111 Bridge
    Grant Amount: $300,000
    Project Scope: Construction of a 200' prefab truss bridge along the MCT Schoolhouse Trail across Illinois Route 111.
  • Mascoutah, City of
  • Project Title: N. Jefferson Street Shared-Use Path Phase 1
    Grant Amount: $87,117
    Project Scope: Construction of a 0.3-mile, 10' wide asphalt trail extending from the east terminus of the Berm Trail to Jefferson Street (Route 4) and then continuing north to Onyx Drive.
  • Millstadt, Village of
  • Project Title: Millstadt Municipal Pool Restoration
    Grant Amount: $27,300.80
    Project Scope: Installation of a new filter system at the Millstadt Municipal Pool. Includes demolition adn replacement of two (2) failing 48" x 72" sand filter tanks.
  • O'Fallon, City of
  • Project Title: Community Amphitheater
    Grant Amount: $100,000.00
    Project Scope: Construction of an outdoor amphitheater in Community Park with concrete walkways, tiered concrete and grass/turf seating areas, and ADA-accessible stage.
  • St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD)
  • Project Title: Fairview Heights - Swansea Connector Trail
    Grant Amount: $300,000
    Project Scope: Construction of a 0.75-mile, 10' wide asphalt trail along the St. Ellen Trail Corridor, from the intersection of Union Hills Road / Longacre Drive and extending west to St. Clair Road.
  • St. Clair Township
  • Project Title: Loop Creek Park Pickleball
    Grant Amount: $55,133.05
    Project Scope: Improvements to Loop Creek Park, including reconfiguration of the roller hockey rink into four (4) pickleball courts; upgraded basketball court surfacing; and two (2) benches.
  • Smithton, Village of
  • Project Title: Smithton Park Ballfield Lighting
    Grant Amount: $100,000
    Project Scope: Installation of LED field lighting at Smithton Park Ballfields #3, #4, and #5. Includes a total of eighteen (18) light poles and installation of 2,600 LF of electrical conduit.
  • Stookey Township
  • Project Title: Stookey Park Pavilion Project
    Grant Amount: $69,597.61
    Project Scope: Improvements to Stookey Township Park, including construction of a 20' x 30' pavilion and a 40' x 60' pavilion with electric service/receptacles, accessible walkways, charcoal grills, trash cans, and ADA-accessible picnic tables.
  • Sugar Loaf Township
  • Project Title: Sugar Loaf Township Park North | Playground Equipment & Electric
    Grant Amount: $10,589
    Project Scope: Installation of additional playground equipment (swing set, teeter-totter, spring rides, and rubber mulch surfacing); installation of 200-amp electric service for the newly-constructed pavilion; and construction of a 12.5' x 12.5' concrete pad for a BBQ grill.
  • Swansea, Village of
  • Project Title: Schranz Park | Swansea Kingdom Playground Equipment Replacement
    Grant Amount: $100,000
    Project Scope: Replacement of the Swansea Kingdom playground equipment at Schranz Park. Includes removal/replacement of the treated wood structure and playground equipment with similar castle-themed equipment.
  • Tri-Township Park District
  • Project Title: Activity Center Skate Floor
    Grant Amount: $34,285
    Project Scope: Removal and replacement of the existing skate floor at Tri-Township Activity Center. Includes the replacement of damaged subfloor and installation of a VersaCourt-style surface.
  • Wood River, City of
  • Project Title: Parking Lot & Walkway Improvements at Emerson Sports Complex
    Grant Amount: $62,062.00
    Project Scope: Construction of a new asphalt parking lot for Emerson Sports Complex and replacement of existing asphalt walkways (incl., main entrance walkway and around each backstop on Jaycee and Lions Fields).
  • Wood River Township
  • Project Title: Kutter Park | New Parking for Pickleball Courts
    Grant Amount: $25,963
    Project Scope: Construction of a 20-25 space, asphalt parking lot adjacent to the pickleball courts and pavilion at Kutter Park. Includes traffic marking paint and ADA parking space.
  • Worden, Village of
  • Project Title: Community Park Improvements Project
    Grant Amount: $60,000.00
    Project Scope: Improvements to Worden Community Park, including paving and expanding the existing parking lot, electrical upgrades, resurfacing existing walking paths with asphalt, and development of a soccer field.

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 or click the link below to send us a message:




FY 2024 Park & Trail Grant
Program Funding


Balance of Program Funds as of February 2024


Budgeted:
$3,000,000.00
1 Pending:
- $100,000.00
22 Awarded:
- $2,248,432.73
Remaining (Unpledged):
$651,567.27

* * *

DISCLAIMER: 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 the latest updates. Updated 3/18/2024.