Wednesday was a beautiful day to be outdoors, and that was fitting for Gov. JB Pritzker’s announcement of $60 million in parks grants statewide. The money comes from a program called OSLAD – Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development.

Some of the money will go to disadvantaged areas. “This means that places needing renewal and restoration like Cairo, which is the recipient of its first ever OSLAD grant, will be able to improve their parks and their greenspace,” said the governor (pictured, right) outside Veterans Memorial Pool at Gietl Park.

Springfield Park District is on the receiving end of $600,000 in this package.

The acting director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natalie Phelps Finnie (pictured, left), vouched for the benefits of the outdoors. “Research has shown time and again that spending time outdoors is vital to overall good health,” she said. “Physical activities like walking, bicycling, hiking, and running help strengthen our heart and lungs.”