Region's parks receive big boost from state

A new forest preserve for Champaign County and upgrades to parks in Champaign, Danville, Mattoon, Cissna Park and LeRoy will be made possible through more than $2.3 million in grants announced Friday by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The largest chunk – $543,000 – will go to the Champaign County Forest Preserve District to acquire 160 acres on both sides of the Sangamon River in northwest Champaign County.

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