Conservation and Sustainability at the Park District
Sycamore Park District has been “green” since 1923! Today, the Board and staff keep stewardship of Sycamore’s green space and tax dollars at the forefront of day-to-day operations and planning for the future. Here are a few examples of best management practices being implemented in the District’s parks, recreation programs, golf course, and facilities.

Advantages to Low- & No-Mow Areas

  • Reduces wear and tear on equipment
  • Lowers fuel costs
  • Reduces vehicle emissions
  • Reduces staff time
  • All these things save taxpayers’ money!

Benefits of Rain Gardens & Naturalized Ponds

  • Enhances animal habitat
  • Slows runoff and absorbs pollutants to help control algae growth
  • Deters geese from using the ponds
  • Filters runoff water
  • Reduces erosion

Natural Area Management

  • Sustainability is one of the District’s core values and the care and growth of these areas are a top priority.
  • Indoor grow systems help staff save money by propagating native species in-house to help establish and replenish native plants within the other existing natural areas.

Energy Conservation in Action

  • Motion controlled lights in buildings & photo-eye technology outdoors
  • Using wind-powered electricity at a cost that is 10% less than the going rate

Items Currently Being Recycled

  • Electronics, Light Bulbs, Cardboard, Metals, Office Paper, Glass & Plastic, Vehicle & Mower Oil
  • Fallen trees and limbs are chipped into mulch in-house and used around plantings and to create walking paths.

Communication & Outreach

Integrated Pest Management
Efficient pest control with minimal environmental impact means…

  • Pesticide application is not continuous but instead based on weather pressure.
  • Weeds are spot sprayed when populations are high instead of annual blanket sprayings.
  • Turf is aerated to improve soil health and reduce weed competition.
  • Spraying for insects only takes place on the main golf surfaces at very low rates of product application per acre.
  • Tolerance of pests and disease damage is increased to reduce additional spraying.