Section 3025.APPENDIX A  Project Evaluation Criteria

STATEWIDE RECREATION PRIORITIES    (35%)

            Preservation/management of natural areas, wetlands, endangered and threatened species sites; preservation/improvement of wildlife habitat areas; conservation education; water-based recreation opportunities; preservation of greenways and long-distance trail corridors; intergovernmental cooperation benefitting recreation; and improvement of recreation opportunities for disadvantaged populations.

STATEWIDE LOCAL RECREATION NEEDS    (25%)

            Facility need based on comparison of existing local supply to statewide median.

            Development Project (1 - 10 points)

            (some, majority or all facilities of high need)

            Acquisition Project (0 - 5 points)

            (same factors as for development)

            Existing supply of available local recreation acreage compared to statewide median for local agencies or locally identified standard per local plan.  An evaluation of the types of park acreage available (park system balance) between community parks and neighborhood (walk to) parks is evaluated based on the guideline that approximately 80% of local acreage should be devoted to community park facilities and 20% to neighborhood (walk to) parks.

            Development Projects (0 - 5 points)

            Acquisition Projects (0 - 10 points)

            Specific Project "Service Area" (0 - 10 points)

            Neighborhood Park

            (highest priority: 1 mile service radius)

            (2nd priority: ½ mile service radius)

            Community Park

            (highest priority:  1^st such park within 4 mile radius)

            (2nd priority:  1^st park within 2 mile radius)

            County/Regional Park (multi-community service area)

            (Note: physical barriers restricting travel are taken into consideration.)

            Exceptions within this category:

            (project prevents loss of existing facility)

            (project represents unique opportunity with public support or protects important natural areas)

PROJECT JUSTIFIED BY LOCAL PLAN    (10%)

            Identified as priority in local plan

            Development project (0 - 5 points)

            Acquisition project (0 - 8 points)

            Evidence of "direct" public involvement in project/plan

            Development project (0 - 5 points)

            Acquisition project (0 - 2 points)

PROJECT CONCEPT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUITABILITY    (25%)

            Site Suitability (0 - 13 points)

            access to site (vehicular/pedestrian, parking, etc.)

            environmental factors and impacts

            adjacent land use compatibility

            safety issues

            Site Design/Concept (0 - 12 points)

            recreational diversity including multi-season use

            adequate support facilities

            diversity of age groups benefitting

            site aesthetics and design

            site impacts on adjacent land uses

            facility cost/benefit assessment

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS    (5%)

            land or cash donation or volunteer involvement

            initial site development

            high-density urban population areas

            project part of community economic redevelopment initiative

            grant "fair share" distribution factor

            project by newly created agency

PROJECT PENALTIES

            poor past grant performance or "unresolved" project violation

            evidence of poor facility maintenance by agency

            failure to cooperate with Department in supplying "Illinois Recreation Facilities Inventory" data

            necessary application "follow-up" response time unsatisfactory

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 9224, effective June 18, 2007)