Launch Funding

The Boat Access Area Development Program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) specifically targets boat access projects at Illinois lakes and waterways, covering up to 90% of land acquisition costs and 100% of access development costs. Limited to $50,000 for non-motorized access and $200,000 for motorized access (which can have a non-motorized access component), the grants require recipients to maintain funded improvements.

IDNR's Partners for Conservation Ecosystem Project Grants are awarded annually on a competitive basis in the following categories: habitat restoration, land acquisition/easement, education/outreach, planning, research, and resource economics. Any project located within the boundaries of an Ecosystem Partnership is eligible for funding.

The state-financed Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and open space. Funding assistance for up to 50% of approved project costs can be obtained. Grant awards up to $750,000 are available for acquisition projects, while development/renovation projects are limited to a $400,000 grant maximum.

Point-of-access facilities and associated signage can be a reasonably inexpensive undertaking with donated labor and materials, especially if you pool the resources of local canoe clubs, rivers conservation organizations, and landowners.  Also, a variety of creative funding and site-access and development opportunities can be obtained from non-traditional sources, such as:

• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts
• Local community development councils
• Corporate sponsorship
•  Local government capital improvement budgets
• Dam reconstruction financing
• Road jurisdictions (land access at river/stream crossings)
• Local civic authorities
• River/stream access through planned unit development negotiations or through other public land donation and park development aspects of the land development process
• Multiple use of existing public properties (sewage treatment facilities, energy facilities, water treatment facilities)
• Multiple use of private utility properties (Commonwealth Edison utility corridor crossings of rivers/streams)

Questions and requests for manuals containing procedures and application forms should be directed to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Grants Administration at 217-782-7481 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .