Welcome To Prairie Grove Parks and Recreation!

The Village of Prairie Grove officially reinstated its Parks and Recreation Committee on March 12, 2008.  The Committee met on an as needed basis initially to assist the Village with obtaining grant funds and formalizing the roles and responsibilities of the Committee.  The Committee now meets on a regular basis that being the second Wednesday of every month.  The Parks and Recreation members are actively seeking volunteers to assist with ongoing fundraising in support of parks and recreational opportunities throughout the Village.  If you are interested in helping us create beautiful community gathering spaces, please phone Village Hall and ask to be placed on our volunteer list.

Members...

The Prairie Grove Parks and Recreation Committee currently has three members.  Our Chairperson is Lisa Behm (Village Trustee Liaison) and our Committee Members are Colleen Wales and Lindsey Halpern-Givens.  If you would like to contact the Committee members, you may do so by phoning Village Hall at (815) 455-1411 and leaving a message or by email to parkscommittee@prairiegrove.org.

Building Our First Park...

The Village of Prairie Grove purchased park land adjacent to the Village Hall on Barreville Road on January 15, 2001.  Due to funding limitations, the land has remained unimproved.  In March of 2006, the Village Board approved its current Comprehensive Plan.  One of the action items in this plan is to develop the Village Hall Park Property.  In 2008, the Village submitted a request for grant assistance with the help of our Village Planners Houseal & Lavigne Associates.  Click Here to view the plan that was presented at the community workshop on June 10, 2008.  On May 11, 2009 the Village of Prairie Grove was officially notified that we were selected as a grant recipient of the Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant Program!  While this is a great honor for the Village it is also a great responsibility in that the grant proceeds are a 50% match ($458,650 in total of which $229,325 is the Village's match).  The Parks Committee Members are currently assisting the Village with fundraising in an effort to keep municipal costs low.

Golf Outing Planned...

One of the activities planned is a fall golf outing scheduled for September 25, 2009.  This outing is a scramble format and has a start time of 1:00pm.  The Hole in One Opportunity is sponsored by Crystal Lake Chrysler Jeep for a chance to win a Jeep Wrangler!  The Committee is currently looking for volunteers to assist with the planning efforts, hole sponsors and of course 4-somes to enjoy a beautiful sunny afternoon at Prairie Isle Golf Course.  Whatever your preference - sponsoring, golfing, volunteering, dining or just curious about the event - click here for an invitation and sponsor information.

Other Ways To Help...

Help comes in all forms and if golf is just not your cup of tea, then maybe you have a skill you could offer.  The Parks Committee Members are also looking for experienced excavators and laborers who can donate some time and/or machine time to build our park.  We are also looking for material donations such as crushed limestone, concrete, brick and lumber to facilitate the building of a pavilion, restrooms and walking path.

Prairie Grove Park Foundation...

The Parks Committee Members are also contemplating the creation of a Prairie Grove Park Foundation.  If you would like information on how to participate, please contact Chairperson Lisa Behm at lbehm@prairiegrove.org.