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Metro East Park and Recreation DistrictGrant Programs

Metro East Park and Recreation District
Community Planning Grant Program


Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) now offers grant assistance for the development of community wide Parks & Greenspace Master Plans and Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plans. Eligible applicants include municipalities, townships, counties, transportation districts and park districts located within St. Clair and Madison Counties in Illinois.


  1. Click the button above to open the application.
  2. Download the PDF to your computer.
  3. Close all internet browser windows.
  4. Open the saved PDF from your computer.
  5. Fill in and save the contents of the application as you work on it.

 Test this process out before spending time filling in all of the fields! Note that you will need a PDF reader/editing software installed on your computer, such as Adobe Acrobat.

Applications for the FY 2024 Community Planning Grant Program are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting July 12, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. — May 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.*

*Or until 100% of FY 2024 Program Funds are pledged, whichever comes first.

Any public agency having statutory authority to acquire and develop lands for public parks, public trails, public recreation, and/or bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Madison and/or St. Clair Counties, Illinois may apply for MEPRD grant funding. Such agencies include:

  • Municipalities
  • Townships
  • Counties
  • Transportation Districts
  • Park Districts
  • NOTE: Universities, Schools, and School Districts are not eligible applicants.
  • Parks and Greenspace Master Planning (community-wide, township-wide, or county-wide)
  • and/or
  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Planning (community-wide, township-wide, or county-wide)

*For a complete list of eligible and ineligible project types/components, see pgs. 4-5 of the application.


  • The MEPRD FY 2024 Community Planning Grant Program has a total program budget of $400,000.
  • Eligible applicants with a qualifying project type can apply for a MEPRD Community Planning Grant valued at up to $40,000 or up to 40% of the total project cost, whichever is less.
  • At least 60% of the total project cost must come from another source, whether that be the project sponsor, public or private funds or grants from others, or some combination thereof.
  • *Refer to the application for complete details and requirements.

Finished with a planning project funded in-part by MEPRD? Download the MEPRD Grant Reimbursement Request Form below to begin preparing for the grant reimbursement process. Refer to page 2 of the Reimbursement Form for a checklist of required supporting documents. If you are not sure which version to use, please contact us.

We are pleased to announce the recipients of our FY24 Community Planning Grant Program. These grants will assist communities in Madison and St. Clair Counties, IL with developing/updating a community-wide bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure master plan and/or community-wide parks and greenspace master plan.

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: October 2023.


  • Hamel, Village of
  • Project Title: Hamel Parks Master Plan
    Grant Amount: $9,724
    Project Scope: Development of a community-wide parks master plan for the Village of Hamel, IL. Includes planning for all existing parks and a proposed 3.25-acre park.

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 eligibility of a proposed project, preliminary application review, or general assistance.

Call (618) 346-4905 or click the link below to send us a message:




FY 2024 Community Planning Grant
Program Funding


Balance of Program Funds as of March 2024


Budgeted:
$400,000.00
1 Pending:
- $31,800.00
1 Awarded:
- $9,724.00
Remaining (Unpledged):
$358,476.00

* * *

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 3/14/2024.