Darien Park District Habitat Tours at Chestnut, Birchwood and Holly Parks

6700 Richmond Ave,Darien IL 60561

16 July, 2022

Description

Join us for tours of the Darien Park District's native plant habitats at Chestnut, Birchwood and Holly Parks Learn how and why the Darien Park District along with the City of Darien and other local organizations have championed and partnered together to produce native plant habitat in local parks. You can visit one, two or all three of the parks at your leisure and start at any of the parks for the tour. Darien Garden Club members will be available from 10-12 at each park to answer questions and provide plant information and inspiration. Bill Bedrossian the owner of Bedrock Earthscapes, the habitat contractor for the park conversions, will be splitting time between the sites and giving tours, answering questions and providing plant lists. The schedule for Bill’s tours: Chestnut Park 10-10:30 Birchwood Park 10:45-11:15 Holly Park 11:30-12 Learn why the Darien Park District and you should use native plants? • Native plants help reduce air pollution • Native plants attract a variety of birds, butterflies and other wildlife • Native plants are hardy and drought resistant • Native plants are low maintenance • Native plants increase soil absorption of rainfall This event is FREE and a ticket is NOT required. You can register here on Eventbrite to receive reminder emails, so that you will not miss out on these educational and inspirational tours in our local parks. Read on to learn a little more about each park and for photos with a glimpse of what you'll encounter on the tour. Park Locations and Parking options: Chestnut Park 6700 Richmond Avenue, Darien https://goo.gl/maps/WYUAqBYYNLUi9vTW7 Parking is on Richmond Avenue Birchwood Park 7200 Bayberry Lane, Darien https://goo.gl/maps/fu4D5jH3rhFLyEQE7 Parking is available on Emerson Drive, Bayberry Lane, Walden Lane or 71st Street. Holly Park 1730 71st Street, Darien https://goo.gl/maps/95P1MrYizkmGTbcH6 Parking is available on 71st Street Most park information was obtained from the Darien Park District’s website. https://www.darienparks.com/ Photo credits: Cathy Streett, Darien Garden Club member. Chestnut Park In early 2018, the Darien Park District was approached by Rob Vuillaume from the Gift of Carl Foundation about the possibility of converting a majority of Chestnut Park into native area. After meeting with the Gift of Carl and a representative from the Conservation Foundation, Bedrock Earthscapes was chosen to convert .8 acre of Chestnut Park into a native area. Starting in the spring of 2018, Bedrock Earthscapes planted the basin with a native seed mix. The seed mix includes Little Bluestem, Black Eyed Susan, Cosmos, Wild Rye and various types of Milkweeds. Along with adding natural color and beauty to the park, the seed mix provides a habitat for pollinators and enhances the effectiveness of the rain filtering capability of the basin. The Darien Park District sincerely appreciates this gift from the Gift of Carl Foundation! Chestnut Park has large signs explaining the value of a rain garden and how to build one into your landscape. Native butterflies enjoy the blooms at Chestnut Park. Chestnut Park attracts many native bees and other insects. Birchwood Park Birchwood Park has a path that winds through the park and along the detention pond making this park an ideal place for a relaxing walk. The pond shoreline was cleared of small tree saplings and replanted in 2020 with native plants suitable for wet areas. It has developed into a beautiful space to walk beside and enjoy the native insect, bird, amphibian, and other wildlife visitors. Birchwood Park shoreline's beauty during its second year of native habitat. Milkweed nectar feeds many pollinators at Birchwood Park. Native bees appreciate the habitat at Birchwood Park. Holly Park In the summer of 2021, approximately three acres at Holly Park were converted into a native plant meadow. This was a joint project with the City of Darien to improve the effectiveness of the rain filtering capability of this detention basin. The plantings also help reduce the Park District’s carbon footprint by using less fuel to mow the area. This area was planted with a native seed mix to provide a habitat for pollinators. A mowed walking path is available around the perimeter of the basin, and this spring, staff will mow a path through the middle of the basin so residents can get a closer look at the new native habitat. Partridge Pea bloom! Very happy native bumble bees enjoy the nectar and pollen at Holly Park. There was white pollen everywhere on this native bee in the habitat at Holly Park!