Metro East Park and Rec District Grants Are Available

MADISON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES – The Metro East Park and Recreation District (MEPRD) is pleased to announce the launch of its Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) grant cycle, making a total of $6.43 million available to support the development and enhancement of public parks, trails, and recreation facilities in Madison and St. Clair Counties, Illinois.

This year’s cycle introduces the new Priority Paths Grant Program, a significant initiative aimed at funding the construction of critical trail connections between the two counties, with the ultimate goal of creating a bi-county loop, uniting the Madison County and St. Clair County trail systems.

Available grant opportunities under the FY26 cycle include:

• Park and Trail Grant Program ($3,000,000)
• Community Planning Grant Program ($400,000)
• Event Sponsorship Grant Program ($30,000)
• Priority Path Grant Program ($3,000,000)

Applications open July 9, 2025, and will be accepted on a rolling basis through May 29, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.

“We’re excited to launch this year’s grant cycle and continue working with our local partners to enhance quality of life through parks, trails, and natural spaces,” said Cole Preston, MEPRD Grant Coordinator. “From expanding recreational access to strengthening local trail connections, each project supported by MEPRD contributes toward a more accessible, vibrant, and connected Metro East. And with the introduction of our new Priority Paths initiative, MEPRD is placing an even stronger focus on regional connectivity for the FY26 Cycle, helping to bridge the gap between these two already incredible trail systems,” continued Preston.

Since its formation in 2000, MEPRD has committed more than $43 million to support 297 local projects across Madison and St. Clair Counties, including 238 completed and 59 ongoing initiatives. These grants play an important role in advancing MEPRD's mission to develop and maintain a public system of interconnecting parks and trails by partnering with local communities and agencies, benefiting local communities and bolstering recreational opportunities across the Metro East region.

Overview of MEPRD FY26 Grant Programs

The MEPRD Park and Trail Grant Program (FY26) provides funding for the acquisition, development, and improvement of public parks, trails, and recreation facilities. Eligible applicants include municipalities, townships, counties, park districts, transit districts, universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations within Madison and St. Clair Counties. To learn more, visit: meprd.org/park-trail-grant.

• Total Program Budget: $3,000,000
• Grant Award: Up to $300,000 or 40% of eligible costs for qualifying trail projects; or up to $150,000 or 40% of eligible costs for all other eligible park and recreation projects.
• Eligible Projects: Acquisition, improvements, and/or development of public parks, trails, and related recreation facilities.
• Details & Application »

The MEPRD Community Planning Grant Program (FY26) supports jurisdiction-wide master planning for parks, bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, and—new for this year—Forestry, Natural Habitat, and Water Quality Management planning. Eligible applicants include public agencies with statutory authority to acquire and develop lands for public parks, trails, recreation, and/or bicycle-pedestrian infrastructure in Madison and/or St. Clair County, IL, including municipalities, townships, counties, and park/transit districts. To learn more, visit: meprd.org/planning-grant.

• Total Program Budget: $400,000
• Grant Award: Up to $40,000 or 40% of eligible costs, whichever is less.
• Eligible Projects: Jurisdiction-wide planning for [1] Parks, Open Space, and Recreation; [2] Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure; and/or [3] Forestry, Natural Habitat, and Water Quality Management.
• Details & Application »

The MEPRD Event Sponsorship Grant Program (FY26) supports public events that make use of, or promote the use of, public parks or trails in Madison and St. Clair Counties. Eligible events include those involving physical activity (e.g., walking/biking events) and events that benefit the natural environment (e.g., educational and volunteer events). To learn more, visit: meprd.org/event-sponsorship.

• Total Program Budget: $30,000
• Grant Award: Up to $2,500 or 40% of eligible event costs, whichever is less.
• Eligible Events: Must involve physical activity (e.g., walking and biking events, 5K, Biathlon) or environmental stewardship/restoration in public spaces (e.g., educational and volunteer events).
• Details & Application »

The new MEPRD Priority Paths Grant Program (FY26) is designed to fund the development of AASHTO-compliant Class I Bikeways that bridge critical gaps, as determined by MEPRD, between the Madison County and St. Clair County trail systems. Eligible applicants are Madison County Transit and St. Clair County Transit District for their respective "Priority Path Zones." To learn more, visit: meprd.org/priority-paths-grant.

• Total Program Budget: $3,000,000
• Grant Award: Up to $1,500,000 or 40% of total project costs, whichever is less.
• Eligible Projects: Development of a direct trail corridor from the interconnected trail network found within Madison County to the MCT Confluence Trail; and a direct trail corridor from the interconnected trail network found within St. Clair County to the southern terminus of the MCT Goshen Trail at Kyle Road in O’Fallon, IL.
• Details & Application »

HOW TO APPLY

All FY26 grant applications will be available online beginning July 9, 2025. Applications are accepted from eligible applicants located within Madison and St. Clair Counties. Qualifying applicants may receive one award per program per fiscal year, and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Full program guidelines and application materials are available at www.meprd.org/funding. For questions or assistance, contact MEPRD Grant Coordinator Cole Preston at (618) 346-4905 or cpreston@meprd.org.

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