Contributed photo | www.evergreenpark-ill.com
Contributed photo | www.evergreenpark-ill.com
Village Arborist Gavin Yeaman and Mayor Kelly Burke planting trees this past Fall.
EP Is A Tree City USA Member
The Village of Evergreen Park was recognized as a Tree City USA Community member, an organization which can provide villages with the financial help to maintain and grow their tree cover. It also gives members an avenue to celebrate their work, showing residents, visitors, and the entire country that they are committed to the mission of environmental change.
Gavin Yeaman, Assistant Director of Evergreen Park Public Works, is also a certified arborist. “We are very excited for this recognition, as we have worked very diligently in meeting their four overarching standards; we have a strong forestry division, we have ordinances in our books outlining tree care, we invest heavily in new trees throughout the village and we celebrate Arbor Day in many different fashions.”
Covid has stalled the Village’s more public celebrations; for many years, Yeaman coordinated an Arbor Day Art and Essay competition through the local schools. In the autumn of 2021, the Village planted over one hundred trees on residential parkways and more in the parks.
Mayor Kelly Burke plans for at least one hundred more for 2022, prioritizing areas of the Village where the emerald ash borer infestation resulted in the biggest loss of trees.
Additionally, new trees get planted on Arbor Day at various village locations, including the schools, to celebrate the day.
“If you ever ride the ferris wheel at the local summer carnival, you can look out in any direction and see the blanket of trees throughout the Village,” Mayor Burke added. “In addition to their beauty, they help absorb the sounds of traffic, their shade can help reduce energy costs and absorb carbon dioxide. Trees can increase your property value, too!”
Open green space, of which Evergreen Park contains over eighty acres, also plays a major role in improving mental and physical health.
Mayor Burke and Mr. Yeaman agree on the same recommendation: “Please get out when you can and enjoy our parks and the beauty and shade that the trees provide. And we will continue to keep them beautiful for years to come.”
Covid Testing at Yukich Fields, Now Twice Per Week
Testing takes place from 8am-Noon on Wednesday, January 12; then again from 9am-3pm on Friday, January 14. These are PCR tests, and drive-thru testing should be in place.
Testing takes place in the NORTHWEST corner of the park, behind Aldis.
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