Illinois Administrative Code
Title 17 - CONSERVATION
Part 3025 - OPEN SPACE LANDS ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM
Appendix A - Project Evaluation Criteria
STATEWIDE RECREATION PRIORITIES (35%)
Preservation/management of natural areas, wetlands, endangered and threatened species sites; preservation/improvement of wildlife habitat areas; conservation education; water-based recreation opportunities; preservation of greenways and long-distance trail corridors; intergovernmental cooperation benefitting recreation; and improvement of recreation opportunities for disadvantaged populations.
STATEWIDE LOCAL RECREATION NEEDS (25%)
Facility need based on comparison of existing local supply to statewide median.
Development Project (1 - 10 points)
(some, majority or all facilities of high need)
Acquisition Project (0 - 5 points)
(same factors as for development)
Existing supply of available local recreation acreage compared to statewide median for local agencies or locally identified standard per local plan. An evaluation of the types of park acreage available (park system balance) between community parks and neighborhood (walk to) parks is evaluated based on the guideline that approximately 80% of local acreage should be devoted to community park facilities and 20% to neighborhood (walk to) parks.
Development Projects (0 - 5 points)
Acquisition Projects (0 - 10 points)
Specific Project "Service Area" (0 - 10 points)
Neighborhood Park
Neighborhood Park
(highest priority: 1 mile service radius)
(2nd priority: 1/2 mile service radius)
Community Park
(highest priority: 1st such park within 4 mile radius)
(2nd priority: 1st park within 2 mile radius)
County/Regional Park (multi-community service area)
(Note: physical barriers restricting travel are taken into consideration.)
Exceptions within this category:
(project prevents loss of existing facility)
(project represents unique opportunity with public support or protects important natural areas)
PROJECT JUSTIFIED BY LOCAL PLAN (10%)
Identified as priority in local plan
Development project (0 - 5 points)
Acquisition project (0 - 8 points)
Evidence of "direct" public involvement in project/plan
Development project (0 - 5 points)
Acquisition project (0 - 2 points)
PROJECT CONCEPT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUITABILITY (25%)
Site Suitability (0 - 13 points)
access to site (vehicular/pedestrian, parking, etc.)
environmental factors and impacts
adjacent land use compatibility
safety issues
Site Design/Concept (0 - 12 points)
recreational diversity including multi-season use
adequate support facilities
diversity of age groups benefitting
site aesthetics and design
site impacts on adjacent land uses
facility cost/benefit assessment
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS (5%)
land or cash donation or volunteer involvement
initial site development
high-density urban population areas
project part of community economic redevelopment initiative
grant "fair share" distribution factor
project by newly created agency
PROJECT PENALTIES
poor past grant performance or "unresolved" project violation
evidence of poor facility maintenance by agency
failure to cooperate with Department in supplying "Illinois Recreation Facilities Inventory" data
necessary application "follow-up" response time unsatisfactory
