McHenry Times

The Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center is one of thirty-six Illinois museums which will receive a total of $19.7 million in state capital investments to improve their facilities and develop new exhibits. As recently announced by Gov. JB Pritzker, the grant funding amount awarded to the Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center is $363,000. This amount will fully cover a complete redesign and construction of Nature Center exhibits. A remodel of program space including updated offices, flooring, lighting and storage space was recently completed to make way for the exhibit project. A project timeline will be posted on the ‘Project Update’ page at crystallakeparks.org once the finalized concept plans are available.

The investments are made possible through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, funded by the governor’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, the first in nearly a decade. “Rebuilding Illinois means investing in all types of infrastructure that improve communities and the quality of life for local residents. That includes an investment in the museums that protect our cultural heritage and offer unique programs and events for visitors to enjoy,” Gov. Pritzker said. “I am pleased to see the array of improvements and exhibits that will happen as a result of our 2022 Public Museum Capital Grants, made possible through the Rebuild Illinois capital program.” The Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is open to any museum operated by local government or located on municipally owned land. The maximum grant award for projects is $750,000, and matching funds are required in many cases based on museum attendance levels. “Museums are an important economic driver and point of pride in communities throughout Illinois,” said Colleen Callahan, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Providing funding for capital improvements and exciting new exhibits helps to create jobs, attract more visitors, and boost local tourism.” The Illinois Public Museums awarded Capital Grants are listed below. More information about the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program is available online at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/Museum-Capital-Grants.aspx.

For more information about the Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center grant and exhibit project plans, contact Jason Herbster at (815) 459-0680, ext. 1203, jherbster@crystallakeparks.org