2011 Elmhurst Park District Environmental Accomplishments

  • Assembled a resource list of on-line calculators that evaluate benefits and costs of a specific product
  • Developed a Green Product Assessment Tool to serve as a first step in the assessment process of evaluating a switch to a green product versus a traditional product
  • Created a co-op purchasing list for many items within the District.
  • Developed criteria for purchasing new or retrofitting existing vehicles that address potential environmental impact of the replacement vehicle (e.g. recent trends and technology, alternative fuels and alternative energy technologies.)
  • Recognized for reducing smog forming emissions by a total of 124,260.15 lbs. during 2011 with the installation of energy efficient lighting at the Wagner Community Center, the use of permeable pavers in southeast and southwest corners of Wilder Park, and the use of low-impact materials in much of the Wilder Park playground surfacing. (Since joining Clean Air Counts in 2008, the Elmhurst Park District has been recognized for reducing smog forming emissions cumulatively by 149,355.85 lbs.).
  • Implemented Ozone Action Day Plan.
  • Created Eldridge Lagoon Ecology and Management Plan.
  • “Facility Development/Energy Audit Checklist” developed to assess potential opportunities for conserving resources.
  • Paper, outside printing and postage were reduced due to digitized distribution.
  •  Poo Free Parks™ service implemented saving $9,000 on staff time, vehicle expenses and waste bags.
  • The Wilder Park Project contractor recycled the old asphalt paths/used material for new path base.
  • Non-profit organization Kids Around the World recycled the Wilder Park playground to an undeveloped country.
  • Partnered with the City of Elmhurst to offer two collection locations for the Holiday Lights Recycling Program.
  • IT recycled electronics at a free event hosted by DuPage County.
  • A “Park Development Environmental Checklist” was created incorporating native planting schemes, restriction of park encroachment that impacts natural area management, and design of landscaping around facilities with energy conservation in mind.
  • New Saplings Nature Preschool for ages 3-4 was introduced.
  • 2011 Adopt-a-Park District savings amounted to $16,006. The kickoff included several new volunteer groups and some parks now have two or three groups.
  • 2011 Prairie Restoration Group volunteers have saved the District $11,438.
  • Boy Scout Eagle cooperative projects included chairs/tables for the Saplings preschool, planting prairie grasses and wildflowers northeast of the walking bridge at Eldridge Park, trail mapping/identification of trees within ten feet of the path at Eldridge Park, and removing trash and BMX ramps from the wooded area north of Eldridge Park.
  • Participation in Great Donation Day, a cooperative recycling effort with Cool Cities Coalition and the League of Women Voters.
  • Received the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award for Continuous Improvement.