Shoreline Restoration and Pond Dredging The Park District added shoreline restoration and pond dredging to its Capital Improvements list for long-term maintenance practice. Shoreline restoration includes the removal of or treatment of invasive plant material, stabilizing the shoreline and/or regrading as needed, followed by the installation of native plants. The native plants offer a deep network of roots to help clean stormwater and hold soil in place to prevent erosion. Pond dredging includes location- specific dredging to remove silt from the bottom of retention ponds. The silt is collected and usually stored in sediment drainage bags to dry on site. The leftover material can be used elsewhere in Naperville Park District parks to build As part of natural resource management, the Naperville Park District introduced a Park Meadow Initiative to improve stewardship of parkland. This initiative involves converting turf grass in select areas in certain parks serving currently as detention areas (or other areas that are frequently wet due to the topography of the site) into meadow with native wildflowers and low prairie grasses. This project allows the District to be “greener” in its long-term application by saving both labor and material costs, requiring only occasional mowing and prescribed burning, less watering, and no fertilizing. Environmental benefits of less frequent mowing include energy savings and reduced pollution from gasoline. Additionally, as referenced above, the planted native berms or fill in low areas. Park Meadow Initiative species root systems absorb and filter stormwater, removing pollutants before the water enters the rivers and streams. These areas become little pockets of natural areas that are visually attractive plant communities offering a variety of species that provide food and habitat for wildlife such as birds and butterflies.
Woodland Restoration In addition to the beautiful trees planted as part of the landscape in neighborhood and community parks, Naperville Park District oversees many woodland areas, some areas spanning more than 200 acres and others that are nestled pockets of smaller parks. Woodlands provide habitat for birds, animals and insects, help absorb stormwater, add oxygen and water to the air, increase soil fertility and provide numerous other benefits to the environment and to the community. As part of its capital project planning, the Park District is participating in prescribed burns, invasive tree removal, chemical applications, and planting a variety of beneficial trees and shrubs within the woodland areas of its parks. Land Acquisition When factoring in the demands of Park Maintenance, the District is also tasked with providing enough open space to meet the needs of the Community. Historically there has been immense development pressure on the City of Naperville and this continues to increase as the City reaches build-out. As a result, it is important for the Park District to acquire any remaining quality parkland before it is purchased for other development. However, such land acquisition efforts must also balance both maintenance needs for existing and proposed improvements as well as the need to build new facilities to address existing and projected deficiencies from open space and recreation perspectives. Throughout the District there are presently a limited number of parcels available for purchase. Some of this land is not appropriate for park use due to its lack of area, access, unfavorable topography, or other undesirable factors. The existing land shortages make it extremely important for Naperville Park District to acquire the best land in a competitive environment. The District utilizes various criteria to evaluate land for potential purchase. Parcels are evaluated for physical quality, land use characteristics, and overall cost-benefit ratios. General land acquisition recommendations by Planning Area are reflected in the individual Planning Area summaries.
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Naperville Park District | 2023 MASTER PLAN
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