Buffalo Grove Park District receives $10,000 Green Region Grant

The Buffalo Grove Park District received a Green Region program grant of $10,000 from ComEd and Openlands in support of the Restore Mike Rylko Community Park project.

Openlands, one of the oldest metropolitan conservation organizations in the nation, is partnering with ComEd to administer the Green Region program. Recognizing that open space in our communities is a crucial element of the quality of our lives, the ComEd program awards grants of up to $10,000 each to support existing open space projects that focus on conservation, preservation and improvements to local parks and recreation resources. Grant applications are reviewed by an advisory committee composed of county government officials, members of the region's nonprofit land conservation community, and ComEd representatives.

Buffalo Grove Park District's Restore Mike Rylko Community Park project extends and accelerates restoration of stream banks, woodlands and wetlands at Mike Rylko Community Park. The project is a partnership between the Buffalo Grove Park District and community groups, including the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team and the Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership.

"This award validates the years of cooperation between our volunteer groups and the Park District," said Jeff Weisss, founder of both the park district's Environmental Action Team and the Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership. "This grant will enable us to accelerate and complete the work that has been in progress for more than 10 years."

Three of Buffalo Grove's largest parks straddle Willow Stream (also known as Farrington Ditch), a tributary of Buffalo Creek. These parks connect open space to the Buffalo Creek corridor. Natural areas in the parks provide recreational opportunities and, once restored, yield valuable environmental services, such as clean air and water, flood reduction and habitat for native plants and wildlife. The grant may be used for up to 50 percent of the costs of the project's eligible activities over a period of 18 months.