First 'GOT MULCH' event a success for NENA, City of Elgin

This spring, the NorthEast Neighborhood Association (NENA) formed a unique partnership with the City of Elgin and Parks Superintendent Jim Bell to provide free mulch to residents as a trial Public Works and community program. The verdict? Overwhelming success!

For two-weeks prior to Memorial Day weekend, NENA took mulch orders from residents via web, Facebook and email to repurpose the cities never-ending mulch supply from the forestry and parks maintenance activities. Over 30 households participated in requesting as little as 2 cubic yards up to 2 truckloads (12 cu. yd.). The mulch was delivered by Elgin's Public Works crews over a total of 4-days to the north-end of St. Francis Park (Prospect/Jefferson) with great excitement and curiosity from the neighborhood kids.

Resident pick-up was officially opened Friday May 27 with many neighbors using leaf bags, wheel barrels and plastic bins to transfer their mulch to their lawns. To help neighbors with some of the larger reservation requests, JB Harris Construction Inc. (owner Josh Harris) organized a unique delivery service for Saturday May 28 that also served as a fundraising opportunity for NENA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Mr. Harris utilized his company's bobcat and dump truck to provide mulch-pile to driveway delivery with donated labor and nominal fuel fee.

Overall, a few hours of work and over 100 cubic yards of free municipal mulch raised a little bit of monies, saved the neighbors some monies, repurposed Elgin's mulch supply and helped beautify the NENA's lawns in a sustainable way.

NENA is planning to hold a fall "Got Mulch" event in October/November and is anticipating even a greater response from the neighbors.

For Elgin neighborhoods interested in organizing a “Got Mulch” event, please contact the City of Elgin Public Works department at 847-697-3160 or have your association contact NENA for advice on "Got Mulch" organization – info@nenaofelgin.org