Issue link: https://pdop.uberflip.com/i/791214
5 www.pdop.org Park Renewal Projects Longfellow Center Solar Panels Due to our strong commitment to sustainable practices and preserving our environment, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), is partnering with the Park District on the cost of the installation of 20 solar panels on Longfellow Center. In addition, the NRDC gied the panels to the District which were installed in December 2016. ese panels will provide a substantial amount of the power needed for Longfellow Center allowing the Park District to recover all costs from the purchase and installation of the system in less than 6 years through energy savings. (photo above) Shape the Future of Mills and Taylor Parks You are invited to two community meetings to help shape the future of our parks. On Wednesday, March 8, your comments and ideas are welcome at a community meeting to update the Taylor Park site plan which outlines future park improvements. is meeting will be held at Andersen Center, 824 Hayes Street, at 7pm. A community meeting to update the Mills Park site plan will be held on Wednesday, May 3 at 7pm at Pleasant Home. You can view current site plans for both parks at www.pdop.org. We hope to see you there. Euclid Square Park Project e northern section of Euclid Square Park will be closed from early April through August for park improvements. With the help of a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, a new, ADA-accessible playground with a rubberized safety surface will be installed as well as new tennis courts lined for tennis and pickle ball. Improvements to the looped walking path will be made and native plantings and a rain garden will be added for improved "green" management of surface water run-off. e Park District anticipates completion of the Euclid Square Project in August 2017. Fox Center Entrance Upgrade e southern entrance to Fox Park will be closed for renovation from early spring to August for the replacement of the stairs and ADA accessible ramp. Please use the north entrance for entry into the center. Cistern Installation at Field Park Similar in size to the cistern at Longfellow Park, a new cistern will be installed at Field Park to collect the water from the splash pad and repurpose it to irrigate the athletic fields. Unlike the cistern at Longfellow, this cistern will be underground due to space constraints. is project will commence in May and is slated for completion in June. STMA Environmental Certification for Longfellow e Park District has earned national recognition by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) by achieving Environmental Facility Certification for Longfellow Park. is program certifies and rewards facilities that showcase ecological stewardship and sustainability practices on fields and facilities. Currently, only 10 facilities across the country have received certification for implementing and executing sustainable practices. Park District of Oak Park staff top dressing the soccer field with sand and organic peat moss to improve soil conditions for drainage, playability, and safety.