This page is intended to provide the public with updated information on construction projects taking place within the Buffalo Grove Park District.
Emmerich Park
Tennis Courts Closed
May 30, 2023
The tennis courts are closed due to a safety issue. Repairs are scheduled for the week of June 5. The courts should reopen by the end of that week.
Alcott Center
Multi-Purpose Room Demolition
May 19, 2023
We had a structural engineer do an assessment of the multi-purpose room on the SE corner of the Alcott Center. The room was deemed unsafe; and, the District has decided to demolish the room and evaluate the needs of the Alcott Center moving forward. The demolition is planned to take place on Monday, May 22 during the day, and continue through the following week.
Mike Rylko Community Park
In-Line Rink & Educational Gardens
April 21, 2023
Contractors are working on formwork for the new concrete curb that will surround the inline rink. A new dasher board system will be installed at the end of May. Asphalt and concrete repairs will be completed in May to provide a base for the sport court tile system that will be installed in June. The new stamped and stained concrete is 80% complete for Phase 2 of the Educational Gardens. Site furnishings have been delivered and will be installed towards the end of the project. Final grading and landscaping will begin in a couple of weeks. The project is currently on schedule to be completed mid-June.
April 13, 2023
The project includes removing the existing fencing, installing a new rubber surface called Sport Court, new dasher boards, and a new asphalt path around the rink. And, right next to the rink, will also begin phase 2 of the Educational Gardens, which will include new paths, more garden and nature landscape areas, native plantings, a pollinator hotel, and a shade structure . Both projects should be completed by July.
Wooded Area
We are continuously working within the wooded areas of Mike Rylko Community Park to remove invasive species that are harmful to the natural habitat. It may appear as though healthy trees are being taken down; however, that is not the case. The buckthorn trees, as well as other invasive species are extremely harmful; and, they keep plant species that are native to the area from thriving.
Managing the natural areas by controlling invasive plant species and promoting native plant species will have ecological, recreational and aesthetic benefits. Ecological benefits are gained by removing invasive plant species, which can out-compete native plant species. Controlling invasive species will help maintain diversity within the natural areas, which in turn provides more suitable habitat for wildlife. In general, invasive plant species are less useful to native wildlife to provide habitat needs. By promoting native plants, wildlife diversity may increase, providing greater ecological benefit from pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies, and from wildlife, such as migratory songbirds. Additional recreational uses of Mike Rylko Community Park may also be gained from wildlife observers, birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts who are attracted to the enhanced natural areas.
Removal of dense thickets of buckthorn will open the understory of the woodlands, and allow spring and summer wildflowers to grow. Improving the aesthetic look of the natural areas will entice users of the park. Additional benefits to the community may be gained by providing educational opportunities for science classes to study ecology, biology or other natural sciences in the park natural areas.
Targets for invasive species control and increasing native species diversity
For the woodlands:
- Reduce boxelder and nonnative canopy trees by at least 25%.
- Remove and control 90% of buckthorn and other invasive shrubs.
- Control 90% of invasive, nonnative herbaceous species.
- Total native herbaceous vegetative cover of 75%, with at least 15 native species present.
- Increase tree and shrub species diversity by 25%.
For the prairies:
- Control 90% of nonnative, invasive herbaceous species.
- Remove and control 90% of all tree and shrub species.
- Total native herbaceous vegetative cover of 90%, with at least 20 native species present.
For the wetland areas:
- Control 90% of purple loosestrife and phragmites.
- Remove and control 90% of all non-native and invasive trees and shrubs.
