Earlier this month Wednesday Journal reported that the Oak Park and the park district had filed paperwork for recognition as a municipal arboretum, and the village now reports the accreditation was approved.
The distinction makes Oak Park the state’s first municipal arboretum and the nation’s fourth.
The status of arboretum was approved by Morton Arboretum, “which created the accreditation program to encourage knowledge, experience and resource sharing among keepers of tree-focused public gardens,” according to a village news release.
The village and park district had to prove the existence of more than 100 species of trees on public land to be approved. Between the 18,744 trees on village public land and 2,572 on park district land, the village was able to identify about 130 different species.
Village Forester Rob Sproule noted in the news release that the idea was brought to public officials by Bill Sieck, executive director of The Learning Gardens of Oak Park, a group of Oak Parkers that promotes trees, shrubs and flowers.
“Bill’s determination to make all of Oak Park into what he calls a botanic garden speaks to the love of trees that is such an integral part of a shared village mindset,” Sproule said. “Thanks to Bill’s efforts and those of his like-minded colleagues, friends and followers, the village and park district were able to build upon a long-standing cooperative relationship to earn the respect and recognition of the broader arboricultural industry.”