BREAKING NEWS! We are excited to share that the Zion Park District has been named as a recipient of an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant in the amount of $600,000 to be used for improvements at David Park. “Governor JB Pritzker along with state and local leaders and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced nearly $60 million in state grants are being awarded for 118 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities.”

The David Park master plan includes an inclusive playground, a new skate park, new basketball courts and soccer fields, plus a full walking loop. We expect this project to begin in the spring of 2024. A timeline for the project will be released when available. The $600,000 grant received is the maximum amount awarded by OSLAD and requires the Park District to match the grant amount received.

The Zion Park District is proud to have secured OSLAD funding the past two years, bringing in one million dollars of state funding to the Zion community.  By consistently seeking external revenue sources, the Zion Park District continues to be a responsible steward of taxpayer funds to manage and maintain parks, facilities, and open spaces for the enjoyment of Zion residents.

The Governor’s full press release is available at https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.26122.html

The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Zion Park District have found infestations of Gypsy Moths throughout Shiloh Park. The Gypsy Moth is an insect that in caterpillar stage can do tremendous damage to oak trees by feeding on their leaves. If uncontrolled, they can destroy all the oaks in the park. It has been determined that an aerial spray by helicopter will help control the Gypsy Moth. Spraying will take place between April 25, 2023 and July 1, 2023 depending on weather conditions.

Sept 26, 2022

Upcoming Election Information – Commissioner Petition Packets Available

Commissioner petition packets are available for distribution to the public for the April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election. Petition packets are available for pick up at the Zion Park District Leisure Center Office, 2400 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Following are the offices for which petitions are available:
Zion Park District Leisure Center Office: Petitions are available for the position of two Zion Park District Commissioners, six year term, 2023-2029.

The first day to circulate petitions is Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

The first day to file the nomination papers with the local election official is Monday, December 12 and the last day to file is Monday, December 19th. Filing ends at 4 p.m. on December 19th.

The Park District Leisure Center Office will be open for petition filing between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., December 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. The Leisure Center office will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17 and closed on Sunday, December 18. Filing on Monday, December 19 is between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Per Illinois State Statutes, in the event two or more petitions of candidacy are simultaneously filed for the same office, the order of filing will be determined by means of a lottery approved by the State Board of Elections. If necessary, a public lottery is to be held within nine days after the last day of petition-filing period, and is open to the public. In the event that multiple candidates file for the position of Zion Park District Commissioner at 8 a.m. on the first day of filing, December 12, a Simultaneous Petition Filing Public Lottery will be held on Wednesday, December 28, at 10 a.m. in the Executive Director’s office at the Zion Park District Leisure Center, 2400 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion.

Eric Bradley, Local Election Official, Zion Park District