Lisle's Bee Island providing local honey for sale

Locally produced honey from Lisle Park District's Bee Island is becoming a hot commodity.

Bee Island started when Lisle Park District welcomed six honeybee hives and approximately 60,000 bees to Lisle Community Park in March 2015. In 17 months, the bee population has grown to approximately 360,000 bees.

The honeybees are providing many benefits in the Lisle area. They pollinate nearby plants and trees within a flying radius of up to three miles, provide a source of local honey, and are fascinating creatures to observe. They are not aggressive insects and will only defend themselves when threatened.

Lisle Park District's six honeybee hives are at the north end of Lisle Community Park on what has been named Bee Island. Signs have been placed on either side of the entrance to Bee Island and on the gate approaching the hives to alert passers-by not to disturb the bees' habitat.

Margaret Trocki, Lisle Park District's resident beekeeper, said that eating local honey, which contains local pollen, may help allergen sufferers build immunity to the plants they are sensitive to. Many people buy local honey for this reason alone, and several do so at the recommendation of their doctors.

In 2015, 270 pounds of honey were harvested during the summer and fall from the beehives in Lisle Community Park. Another 270 pounds of honey were collected from the hives during the most recent harvest in August. The supply is limited and quickly sold out last year. The honey is sold at the Lisle Recreation Center, 1925 Ohio St. A one-pound jar is $10, and an eight-ounce jar is $8. For information, call (630) 964-3410.