Oak Park is looking to incorporate resident feedback into its plan for upping biodiversity and “green infrastructure” in the village.
Oak Park leaders committed to boosting the amount of green infrastructure in the village by 30% by 2030 as part of its Climate Ready Oak Park Plan. The Village’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience defines green infrastructure as providing open spaces designed to mimic ecological functions that protect animal habitats, mitigate stormwater runoff, and improve air and water quality.
The village is looking for resident feedback on what type of building projects Oak Parkers would like to see to accomplish that “30×30” goal.
“Public and private lands play equally important roles in achieving Oak Park’s 30X30 goal, particularly given Oak Park’s built-out urban context where much of the Village’s green space is privately owned and managed,” village staff wrote of the project. “Public agencies can lead through clear policy, guidance and metrics alongside innovative capital projects and enhanced managed of publicly owned land. However, meaningful progress will likely depend on supporting and empowering residents, institutions, and businesses to adopt green infrastructure and enhanced management practices on their own properties.
Possible projects proposed by village staff include adding native plants to village parkways, rooftop greenspaces and stormwater capture gardens called bioswales.
The survey is available to residents through the village’s Engage Oak Park public information website.