Glenview Park District Green Initiatives
In keeping with our commitment to preserve the environment, the Glenview Park District strives to be proactive in a number of areas.
Green Technology at the Tyner Interpretive Center
In addition to housing educational exhibits about the prairie, the Evelyn Pease Tyner Interpretive Center at Air Station Prairie, 2400 Compass Road, is a showcase for “green technology.” The building features a number of environmentally sound design attributes including a geothermal heating and cooling system, solar energy panels, and a “green roof”. The Tyner Center has been certified by the U. S. Green Building Council as LEED Platinum, the highest possible designation under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.
Wetlands Mitigation and Prairie Enhancement at The Grove National Historic Landmark
Augmenting its ongoing work to restore and preserve The Grove’s wetlands, prairie and oak woodlands, The Grove in 2006 was able to further improve the quality of its wetlands by serving as the site for wetlands mitigation which was being required of the Village of Glenview by the Army Corps of Engineers in order for the Village to receive approval to develop property at another location. And in 2007, after three years of negotiations with the Illinois Tollway Authority, an agreement was reached for a sound barrier to be erected to help protect The Grove from Tollway noise pollution. This agreement included a contribution from the Tollway Authority for berms and other Grove enhancements including the development of a new native prairie and planting of trees.
Environmental Considerations in Park Design
In developing the master plan for the development of the second phase of Community Park West, a primary consideration was to design a park which not only met the recreational needs of the community but could also serve as a model of native plant species and wetlands preservation. Careful attention has been paid to management of storm and ground water to minimize the impact on our water supply and the planting plan for the park will utilize native trees and shrubs adapted to the specific conditions of each planting location. Community Park West photo courtesy of Gewalt Hamilton.
Integrated Pest Management System
In an effort to minimize impacts to the environment, the Glenview Park District has adopted an Integrated Pest Management system to help us reduce chemical usage in our parks and facilities. As a result of using less pesticide in these areas, weeds such as dandelions may be apparent for a short time each spring.
Our crews mow the lawn areas regularly to control weeds. We also follow lawn care recommendations to keep grass three to four inches high to allow for strong root growth and some shading out of weeds. However, because of our limited use of chemical pesticides, weeds such as dandelions grow back very quickly.
Remember that these dandelions are a sign of our Integrated Pest Management system at work and an indication of a healthy and safe environment for you and your family.
Christmas Tree Recycling Program
For the past several years, the Glenview Park District has cooperated with the Village of Glenview in a Christmas tree recycling program to reduce the number of trees being sent to landfills. The trees are picked up by Village trucks then ground up by park district workers to be used as mulch in the parks. This program recycles an average of 3,300 Christmas trees per year.
Environmental Team Initiatives
In 2007, the Glenview Park District formed a staff Environmental Management Team tasked with developing an Environmental Management System to guide planning, decision making and implementation of GPD environmental initiatives. Team accomplishments to date include:
- Developed mission and goals for the committee, identified team members and established meeting schedule and format
- Developed a facility survey to gather baseline environmental data and compiled into useful format
- Assessed current recycling plan across the Park District and identified any gaps
- Attended Environmental Management System general awareness training and an overview of the ISO 14001 standard
- Developed a draft Environmental Policy
- Completed the Environmental Management System responsibility matrix
- Developed an action plan to control Emerald Ash Borer in natural and park areas throughout the District
- Compiled a “Top 10” list for facilities of quick and easy environmental improvements
- Attended “Planning for Success” EMS training session focusing on identification of environmental aspects and impacts
- Participated in World Wildlife Fund’s “Earth Hour” campaign to save energy and promote environmental awareness
- Identified key environmental initiatives for team to focus on and communicated these to the public through the Park District website
- Compiled recycling needs for all facilities and placed group orders to provide recycling opportunities in all staff and public areas of the District
- Provided input to the Village of Glenview’s Natural Resource Commission regarding “A Plan for Nature in Glenview” and other issues
- Worked with the District’s marketing team to develop environmental messages and communicate them to our patrons
- Attended “Making it Happen” EMS training session focusing on communication, documentation and training
- Created an Environmental Planning Form with categories of programming and operations for our facilities
- Identified environmental aspects and impacts at The Grove and Air Station Prairie and objectives for improvements
- Developed environmental procedures for legal requirements, objectives and targets, communication, documentation, control and emergency preparedness
- Surveyed tree planting history across the District and compiled data into a spreadsheet for the Board
- Participated in Earth Day celebration at The Glen with environmental information, programs and activities
- Provided input to the Environmental Task Force regarding new Park Services Building construction and other issues
- Attended “Implementation and Operation” EMS training session focusing on monitoring, measurement and corrective action
- Provided input to the Glenview Communicators group regarding Park District environmental policies and marketing strategies
- Conducted a public workshop with the Village of Glenview to educate residents about the Emerald Ash Borer
- Formed partnership with IPRA’s Environmental Team in areas of environmental education, natural area management and the Environmental Report Card
- Attended “Internal Auditing” EMS training session focusing on environmental performance evaluation
- Provided environmental updates to the Park Board as requested
- Developed an Environmental Impact Evaluation Scale to use as a tool in identifying problem areas
- Worked with the Environmental Task Force to fine-tune the Environmental Policy and develop accompanying Guiding Principles
- Developed an application for project proposals for the Park District In-House Environmental Grant Program
- Set up a shared environmental folder on the J-drive for ease of communication and staff access to environmental documents
- Approached PDRMA with the concept of adding “green” initiatives to their risk management auditing process
- Identified environmentally-friendly products in the IPRA co-op purchase and compiled an order for the District
- Developed draft strategic plan initiative “To improve environmental awareness and insure environmentally responsible operations” with accompanying action steps
- Created “Green Tips” practical environmental ideas to be communicated to staff via e-mail
- Worked with Park District grant coordinator to identify funding opportunities for environmental projects
- Developed and conducted general environmental awareness training and an activity to all full-time staff.
- Surveyed pesticide and fertilizer chemical usage across the District and compiled data into useable format
- Joined the national “No Child Left Inside” coalition and our local Chicago Wilderness campaign “Leave no Child Inside.”
- Partnered with REI for environmental programming equipment and education and possible future project funding opportunities
- Partnered with SWANCC for “America Recycles Day” with environmental programs, activities and the Nike ‘Re-use a Shoe’ campaign