Macomb, IL – The Macomb Park District has made its pitch for state money for the 80-acre University Drive site.
The district is asking for $400,000 to help it build ball diamonds, soccer fields, and other attractions. Right now, the land is largely undeveloped.
Park District Executive Director Ray Peterson is confident about the quality of the proposal. However, he's not confident about the district's chances. He says the Illinois Department of Natural Resources might not have enough money for all the park districts across the state seeking grant money.
Peterson says DNR representatives were in Macomb last week to go over the paperwork and to check out the site. He says Macomb should know by September whether it made it through the first round of the application process.
Additional information:
*Peterson also told commissioners that the park district sustained some damage during the June 21 storms. A lightning strike ruined the phone system and some computers at the main office. Flooding at Spring Lake damaged some docks that had boats tied to them.
*During their July meeting, park commissioners chose John Hemingway to fill the open seat on the board. Hemingway is a Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration teacher at WIU.
*Hemingway says the park district did a good job with its comprehensive plan and he looks forward to helping implement it. His term will continue until April 2009.
*You can listen to an interview with Hemingway by clicking on the audio button.