Park Maintenance and Restoration

Starting Oct. 29, 2025,  Eco Waterway Services will be conduction water harvesting at the Depot Pond. They will be hand extracting plant materials by the root system and bagging the weeds to be disposed of off site. This work will continue until Oct. 31.

The bridge and trail will be closed the week of October 27 and reopen on Monday, November 3. The closing will allow crews to pour the final section of concrete for the Peace Bridge Ramp Project.

Annual mulching at park district playgrounds will start the week of October 13, and continue to the end of the week.

The easternmost footbridge connecting the path adjacent to the Woodard Baseball Field and the island is closed for asphalt park maintenance project.

Work on the playground’s surface update will begin Monday, September 15. The project will include repair of the existing pour and play surface and the installation of a synthetic turf top layer across the existing playground footprint. The playground will be closed periodically during the one to two week repair. This project is complete.

Each year, our team refreshes mulch around trees and landscaped areas across our local parks—and here’s why it matters:

Helps trees and plants retain moisture
Suppresses weeds naturally (less herbicide use!)
Regulates soil temperatures year-round
Improves soil health and structure
Reduces erosion and soil compaction
Supports long-term tree and park health
And yes—it makes our parks look beautiful too!

Mulching is a small, behind-the-scenes effort that helps your parks stay green, healthy, and inviting for everyone. Uno Mas Landscaping will be in the parks mulching between May 12-May 25.

2025 Mulching Schedule;

Thank you for your support as we carry out this important seasonal work!

Prairie and Lathem Park, 601 Lathem St, and Payne Woods Park, 2020 Gillenwater Street, will be undergoing prescribed burns the week of March 24, 2025.

Prescribed burns, also known as controlled burns, are carefully planned and managed fires used to achieve various land management goals. These controlled fires are conducted under specific conditions with the objective of reducing wildfire risks, promoting healthy vegetation, and improving wildlife habitats. The process involves evaluating the land, developing a detailed burn plan, and ensuring trained professionals are available to light and monitor the fire throughout the operation. Prescribed burns are typically carried out in the spring or fall, when weather conditions are optimal for safely managing the fire.

The primary purpose of prescribed burns is to reduce wildfire hazards by eliminating excess dry vegetation, which acts as fuel for larger, uncontrolled fires. Additionally, prescribed burns help improve forest health by reducing the risk of diseases and insect infestations, promoting the growth of desirable tree species, and clearing underbrush. These burns also create or enhance wildlife habitats by encouraging the growth of native plants, providing open areas for grazing, and offering food sources for animals. In some instances, they are used to restore natural ecosystems that have been altered by human activity or other disturbances.

Beyond wildfire risk reduction and habitat improvement, prescribed burns have other ecological benefits. They assist in controlling invasive plant species, allowing native plants to thrive, and releasing important nutrients into the soil, which supports plant growth. By reducing fuel loads, prescribed burns also make it easier to control future wildfires. Moreover, compared to other land management methods, prescribed burns can be a cost-effective way to maintain and restore ecosystems, offering significant long-term benefits for both the environment and surrounding communities.