Last month, Sugar Creek Golf Course was pleased to accept a Public Works Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Chicago Metro Chapter (Suburban Branch) in the Environmental category less than $5 million.
The award recognizes the project to restore Sugar Creek, which was completed last spring. The creek, which runs through the golf course, had experienced shoreline erosion, sediment deposit accumulations and degraded water quality in recent years. The project sought to remedy these issues and preserve the resource.
More than 50% of the nearly $1.2 million dollar project was funded through grants from the DuPage County Water Quality Improvement Program and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The remaining funding came equally from Sugar Creek Golf Course, along with the Village of Villa Park and the Elmhurst Park District, which jointly own and operate the golf course. Living Waters, Inc provided consulting and design on the restoration and Semper Fi Land, Inc was the project’s general contractor.
With the completion of the project, the creek continues to serve as a valuable asset to the communities of Elmhurst and Villa Park. Rusted steel retaining walls were replaced with more natural shoreline stone and vegetation/native grasses. The restored stream channel now has a deep pond area for golf course irrigation and wildlife habitat. Additional native plants and trees were planted around the shoreline.
The golf course looks forward to welcoming golfers to the greens this spring and summer, with registration for Jr. Golf Camp coming up February 10 and instructional golf registration opening April 1. Learn more at sugarcreekgolfcourse.org.
