Illinois Department of Natural Resources

The money comes from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the state of Illinois. The splash pad project will be located on the AFC school grounds in Ashton, along Highway 38.

The primary objective is to provide unique recreational amenities for the southwest region of the Plainfield Park District.

Sterling’s Park District is set to receive $600,000, while Morrison will get $81,500.

A snowy owl that has been drawing thousands of birdwatchers to McHenry was found dead on Bull Valley Road, police confirm. All the attention might have contributed to its death.

Mt. Morris officials hope to have Zickuhr Park renovations started — and completed — next year. In January, the village of Mt. Morris received a $152,600 OSLAD grant to redevelop Zickuhr Park; the total cost of the project is $305,200.