Elmhurst Park District Receives Award For Environmental Protection Achievements

  • Elmhurst Park District Division Manager of Facilities Anne Scheppele (l.) and Division Manager of Parks Dan Payne (second from l.) are presented with the 2013 Illinois Governor's Sustainability Award.

On Tuesday, October 29th in East Peoria, IL, the Elmhurst Park District was honored with the Governor’s Sustainability Award by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) for its significant achievements in protecting the environment, helping to sustain the future, and improving the economy.  As the only park district awarded this year, its comprehensive environmental policy was lauded for its wide-ranging, forward-thinking initiatives.

The ISTC, in cooperation with the Office of the Governor, considers sustainable activity to be achieved through actions that satisfy today's needs without diminishing the prospects of future generations.  Many of the Park District’s green initiatives, including energy audits at The Hub at Berens Park and Wagner Community Center, and recycling the old Berens Park West Playground to an orphanage in Thailand, exemplify sustainable activity.  “The Governor’s Sustainability Award is an affirmation of the progressive nature of our organization,” said James Rogers, executive director of the Elmhurst Park District.  The Park District was first presented with the Governor’s Sustainability Award in 2010, and also earned the award in 2011.

Since 1987, ISTC has presented Governor’s awards to organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices. To learn more about the Elmhurst Park District’s green efforts, visit www.epd.org/green/index.asp.