Section 3030.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.

Acquisition Project (0 - 5 points)

(none, some, majority or all facilities, of high need)

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.

Acquisition Projects  (0 - 10 points)

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

Neighborhood Park

(highest priority:  ½ mile service radius)

(2nd priority:  ¼ mile service radius)

(lowest priority:  overlapping service areas)

Community Park

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

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

(lowest priority: similar facility in service area)

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

Acquisition Project (0 - 8 points)

Evidence of "direct" public involvement in project/plan

Acquisition Project (0 - 2 points)

PROJECT CONCEPT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUITABILITY    (25%)

Site Suitability   (0 - 12 points)

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

environmental factors and impacts

adjacent land use compatibility

safety issues

Site Design/Concept (0 - 13 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

high-density urban population areas

project part of community economic redevelopment initiative

grant "fair share" distribution factor

project by newly created agency

PROJECT PENALTIES (up to 15 point deduction or possible ineligibility)

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 27 Ill. Reg. 753, effective January 6, 2003)