The Park District of Highland Park was awarded $528,500 through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to improve Lincoln Park. The OSLAD grant is a state-funded program providing up to 50% of the project costs for public park and recreation projects.

The Park District heard the neighborhood’s concerns about losing the recreational amenities provided by the Lincoln School property. With the grant funding, the Park District can implement the community-requested addition of a 5-12 playground and replace and enhance Lincoln Park’s existing amenities. 

The scope of the project adjusts the park layout and includes: 

• new 2-5 and 5-12 playground, 
• new full-size basketball court,
• new picnic/shade shelter, 
• diamond field improvements,
• soccer field improvements,
• walking path improvements and reconfiguration,  
• site furniture replacement, and
• related site work and landscaping.  

The community will be able to participate in the design process beginning this summer (2024). Construction is expected to start in the summer of 2025.