Bye-bye dandelions, hello green parks in Naperville

What's one way to get rid of weeds fast? Make an event of it.

That's what the Naperville Park District did Wednesday with the second annual Dandelion Pull in Knoch Park.

Knoch Park is one of eight open spaces totaling 75 acres that the park district has been managing organically, with natural herbicides, since 2018.

Last year, about 20 volunteers pulled 122 pounds of dandelions from grassy or mulched areas near the Knoch Park playground. This year, they were at it again as part of Chicago Grows Green Week.

Sponsored by Midwest Grows Green, the week also includes events in Lisle, Park Ridge, Riverdale and Westchester.

At the Naperville Dandelion Pull, park district officials shared results from the first year of the sustainable parks initiative and gave tips about organic lawn maintenance.