River mud is going to gardens in 2 Chicago suburbs

BROADVIEW — A program that brings mud dredged from Illinois rivers to communities for creating gardens is coming to two Chicago suburbs.

State and local officials announced Monday that a series of community gardens will be created in Broadview and Maywood.

Illinois Natural Resources Director Marc Miller says the Fox River Waterway Agency is dredging the mud from the Chain O'Lakes area. He says top soil that eroded into the waterway will help local citizens grow productive gardens. About 500 cubic yards of mud is being dredged.

Environmental authorities test dredged mud to make sure it's safe to reuse.

A mud-to-gardens project for East St. Louis was announced last fall.

The project is an expansion of the mud-to-parks program serving local and state parks.