State awards $600,000 for new park

Money may not grow on trees, but a new state grant is going to help fund new green space in Coal City.
According to a press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, $36 million in grants will be awarded to support 67 local park projects throughout Illinois, with Coal City among them.
Dispensed through the Open Space Land Acquisition Development (OSLAD) program, Coal City will receive $600,000 for the development of Hunter’s Run Park, which is part of the 11.5-acre residential development now under construction at the corner of West Maple Street and South Marguerite Street.
Consisting of 11 buildings and 44 units, approximately three acres is dedicated to green space.
Coal City applied for the grant back in September.
“Today we received the award letter. That's great. Phenomenal news,” Mayor Dave Spesia said at the Coal City Village Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 14. He added that the village will provide another $600,000 in matching funds.
“This $1.2 million project will allow us to create a vibrant park featuring green space, a walking trail, exercise stations, and a football and cheer field, enhancing recreational opportunities for our residents," Spesia said. “Remember, we did get this three-plus acres donated to us as part of the senior development at Hunters Run. It's just you watch the development of the senior housing, the donation of the land to the village, and we just received a grant for $600,000. The project demonstrates how properly managed growth can have positive benefits in the community."
Village Administrator Matt Fritz said Coal City will receive the grant sometime this spring, and that bids for the Hunter’s Run park improvements could begin over the summer with construction starting later in the year.
The park upgrades are part of a comprehensive plan created for the village by Upland Design, a landscape architecture firm with offices in Chicago and Plainfield.
Other communities in Grundy County receiving a $600,000 OSLAD grant include Morris and the Village of Minooka. The City of Braidwood, in Will County, is also receiving a grant for that amount for a town center park.
Other topics addressed at the board of trustees meeting were:
• Trustees voted to adopt a resolution allowing savings from the grocery tax repeal to be enjoyed by residents of Coal City. In 2025, state lawmakers passed a bill that repealed a one percent tax on groceries in Illinois, but municipalities are still able to impose the tax.
Coal City decided against imposing the tax so consumers can save on their bills and help local grocery stores remain competitive. Village Administrator Matt Fritz estimated the impact to village coffers is around $100,000 to $120,000 annually.
• Planning is already underway in Coal City to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“America 250 – A Coal City Salute,” is set for Saturday, June 20, in the village’s downtown area. Kicking off at noon, the event will feature a parade, entertainment, food vendors and games. A fireworks and drone show will take place that evening after 9 p.m. at Coal City High School.
The village board approved resolution stating that the village will participate in the historic event.
“It’s something we’ve been reserving that space for, and that we’ve been working diligently to do,” Fritz told the trustees.
“So, we thought the beginning of the new year is a good time to adopt a formal resolution.”