Lake Zurich-area library uses garden to fight noise

When a Route 22 bypass fell into place directly behind the Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich, additional noise from traffic became an issue on a patio just outside the children's department.

The Illinois Department of Transportation gave the library some funding at the time, some of which officials set aside to alleviate the noise pollution.

The library used that money this summer to fund a $13,000 garden designed by Michelle Titterton of Lake Zurich, that features plants native to Illinois, as well as fencing and trees to reduce noise problems.

"They (library) gave me a list of like 13 things that they wanted," Titterton said. "They wanted an enclosed area, because it was noisy and so you wouldn't see the cars from Route 22."

Aside from those requests, she was free to design the ABC Garden as she saw fit. She chose all the native plants and trees around the garden.

Titterton did not have to look far for inspiration.

"I asked Natalie, who is a librarian working on this, I said give me some of your children's books about plants," Titterton said.

In that children's literature, she saw butterflies prominently displayed, and decided to include butterfly sculptures in the garden.

Natalie Ziarnik, head of the library's children department, said she hopes the new garden will renew outdoor activity that had been hampered by the traffic. She said officials have already started having storytimes and other activities in the garden.

Titterton is no stranger to this type of work, although she had before never designed a garden for a library. She has run her own design company, Michelle Titterton Designs, for the past 10 years.

Usually, she works on projects for assisted living homes. She may continue to pursue similar projects in the future, but soon she may be busy with a new line of work.

Titterton will start as a teacher at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein this fall, where she will teach business management, international business and business law.

"A big part of my business was teaching a lot of classes and programs," she said. "I really enjoy working with young adults, they're so interested in business now with everything going on with the economy."