EDWARSDVILLE – Edwardsville officials are seeking state funding assistance for a new shared use path along Illinois 157 and upgrades at Joe Glik Park.
City Council members unanimously approved submitting two grant applications at their Aug. 18, 2026 meeting with Alderman William Krause absent. These include applications for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement (ITEP) grant for the shared use path and an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant for the park improvements, as well as acceptance of the OSLAD grant if awarded.
157 Shared Use Path
The new shared use path would connect the Route 66 trail at Center Grove Road to the MCT Bluff Trail, according to a City Council memo from the Public Works Department. The new path is set to measure 11,800 feet in length and 10 feet in width.
Ward 2 Alderman Adam Hanna said the city’s OSLAD request this year marks a “really awesome grant application,” for his ward especially.
“There’s a lot of neighborhoods in my part of town that are just really hard to get to anywhere on a bicycle or on foot,” Hanna said. “I know this will help connect so many neighborhoods, apartment complexes, and other housing to the core of the city and just make it so much easier to get around throughout Ward 2.”
The total cost to build the new shared use path is estimated at just over $6 million, of which 80% would be covered by the ITEP grant if approved. The city would cover the remaining $1.2 million using Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds.
Joe Glik Park Improvements
City officials are also seeking up to $600,000 in OSLAD grant funds for major improvements to Joe Glik park.
Any grant funds awarded would go towards the purchase and installation of a brand-new playground and related surfacing, as well as an expansion of the existing parking lot. Also planned is an extension of the park’s shared use path, which would then connect to the Governor’s Way subdivision.
If approved, the OSLAD grant would either cover up to $600,000 or 50% of the project cost, whichever is less. The city has agreed to budget for the funds to match any awarded grant amount in future city budgets or through other available grants.
Both items were approved with 6-0 votes from the aldermen present.
