Springfield, Ill. — The City of Springfield, City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) has been awarded a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to support major improvements at Lake Springfield’s Center Park.
The project’s main features include four new pickleball courts, a modern playground with high-quality safety surfacing, and a new walking path designed to connect Center Park amenities with the Lake Springfield Beach House, picnic areas, shoreline, and the Sailboat and Center Park Harbor docks. An improved parking surface that is ADA compliant will also be part of this project. The improvements are intended to better utilize existing open space while creating a cohesive, walkable recreation destination for residents and visitors.
The City of Springfield was one of 67 communities statewide selected to receive OSLAD funding in the most recent grant cycle, which supports local park development and outdoor recreation projects across Illinois.
“As Mayor revitalizing the Lake Springfield Beach House and surrounding park areas was a top priority,” said Mayor Misty Buscher. “Enhancing this area opens Lake Springfield to the entire community, creating a dynamic activity center for all residents. This OSLAD grant allows us to take an important first step in bringing that vision to life. By investing in high-quality amenities and improving connections between Center Park and Lake Springfield, we are expanding access to recreation, creating a welcoming gateway to the lake, and laying the groundwork for long-term community and economic growth for Springfield and the surrounding region.”
CWLP Chief Utility Engineer Doug Brown said the Center Park improvements are part of a broader effort to strengthen Lake Springfield as a regional destination. Lake Springfield is the largest municipally owned lake in Illinois and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
“Lake Springfield is one of the City’s most important municipal assets, and projects like this help us protect and enhance that value for the long term,” said Brown. “By investing in public access, recreation, and safety improvements at Center Park, we’re reinforcing the lake’s role as both a reliable water supply and a shared community resource. These upgrades help ensure Lake Springfield continues to serve residents today while remaining sustainable and accessible for future generations.”
CWLP Water Division Manager Todd LaFountain said the project will activate an underused area while laying the groundwork for future enhancements. “This award represents the first phase of what we can do to improve this area of Lake Springfield,” LaFountain said. “Center Park has significant open space with great potential. Adding new recreational amenities allows us to better serve the public now and positions us for additional possibilities in the future, including expanded access to the shoreline for the public.”
Construction timelines and additional project details will be announced as design and planning are finalized.
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The OSLAD program, established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, is a cost-sharing partnership between the State of Illinois and local governments. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $640 million for park and outdoor recreation projects throughout Illinois, including the grants announced this year.