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Updated January 31, 2012
"Your Plan It"
Newsletter
This newsletter will be distributed quarterly and our featured,
full length article this quarter is:
True Requirements in the Maintenance of a Sustainable Park
DID YOU KNOW ...
Wheaton Firm Awarded for Designs that Benefit Surrounding ...
The Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape ArchitectsILASLA recently announced that two designs by Wheatonbased firm Planning Resources Inc ...
wheaton.patch.com/.../wheaton-firm-awarded-for-designs-that...
- December 23, 2011 - It's official!! DragonFly Landing and Prairie Walk Pond have won another award. This is the fourth award for the site and PRI is very proud and excited to have played such a great role in this project. This award is the 2011 Environmental Stewardship Honor Award from the Illinois Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects. Congratulations again to the Village and all who worked so diligently to make this such an enjoyable site!
- In addition to the above, PRI won a 2011 Merit Award from the Illinois Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects for Longfellow Park in Oak Park, Illinois for the Design, Constructed: Recreation & Open Space Category. Congratulations to the Oak Park Park District along with Darrell Lori and Ryan, well done!!
- Juli Crane has been re-certified as a Lake County Certified Wetland Specialist (CWS) and has recently been awarded the Ecological Restoration Certificate by McHenry County Conservation District in Cooperation through McHenry County College. Congratulations, Juli.
- Pat Hickey recently demonstrated professional competency by successfully completing the Certified Arborist exam. Nice job, Pat!
- December 14, 2011 - Our Christmas tradition of decorating the Philip J. Rock Center and School in Glen Ellyn was very successful. PRI wishes all a Merry Christmas and healthy holiday season!
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October 27, 2011 - PrairieWalk Pond and DragonFly Landing has done it again!! The project has been selected by the US Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Wilderness for another award. The 2011 Conservation and Native Landscaping Award recognizes sites that are exemplary in the use of native landscaping, ecosystem restoration and protection, and/or conservation design. These practices create and protect habitat for a variety of native plant and animal species and result in important environmental benefits for both people and nature. For this site, PRI transformed a 100-year floodplain from 21 single-family homes and three vacant lots to a landscape rich in native habitat and biodiversity. Together with the Village of Lisle, our team protected the habitat with a 20 year built-in maintenance plan and inspired public education with monthly tours and visible sustainable features. Congratulations again to all who worked on this project. Well done!!
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On September 28, 2011, the Village of Lisle received Three "Excellence in Economic Development " Awards from the International Economic Development Council for: The Redevelopment of Downtown Lisle-Multi Year Economic Development Project, Green By Choice - Sustainable & Green Development, and The Arboretum Village Video - General Purpose Promotion. Congratulations Darrell, Brent and Juli along with all who worked with the Village on PrairieWalk Pond and DragonFly Landing. Great job!!
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Steve Halberg and Jennifer Graham were on the golf course at Poplar Grove Country Club in Hoffman Estates on September 20, 2011. We played beat the Landscape Architect for a $5 contribution to the Friends of Illinois Scholarship Fund raising $330.00. It was great to see everyone and thanks for the contributions.
- PRI is happy to announce that Steven M. Halberg, RLA, CLARB, has joined the firm as Senior Consultant. Steve has more than 30 years of experience in the landscape architectural field. His experience includes 14 years in park and recreation master planning, 7 years in golf course management, and 15 years in golf course architectural design. Steve comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and we are very excited to to have him as a part of our team. By the way, he has also lowered our overall golf handicap, woo hoo!
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On August the 20th, 2011 Steve Halberg and Jennifer Graham attended the IAPD Golf Outing where PRI sponsored a hole and played "Beat the Landscape Architect." This game helped raise a record amount of money for the Friends of Illinois, a nonprofit fund raising arm of IAPD established to involve citizen's in IAPD's mission to preserve land and expand recreational opportunities for youth after-school programs.
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The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation and Cultural Arts Staff had a ground breaking ceremony for Gaelic Park on July 27, 2011. The park is expected to be finished by the end of the year. Landscaping and a ribbon cutting ceremony are set for this spring.
Gaelic Park Ground Breaking Ceremony with kids
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Darrell Garrison and Juli Crane attended and successfully completed the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Designated Erosion Control Inspector Workshop (DECI) on August 2, 2011 in Liberyville, IL.
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PRI is very excited to welcome Pat Hickey to our environmental team. Pat comes to us with more than 20 years of experience in the areas of wetland delineation, mitigation, and monitoring. Pat recently demonstrated professional competency by successfully completing the CERTIFIED ARBORIST exam administered through ISA. Nice job and welcome on board, Pat!
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The Sustainable Sites Initiative released the first national rating system for sustainable landscapes. Not only will this program drive the marketplace towards more sustainable practices, but increase the recognition and appreciation for the work landscape architects already do in their daily work. You can download and read the latest reports at www.sustainablesites.org.
Click here to read the news release, and click here for FAQs about the Initiative and pilot projects.
A major outreach effort continues about the Initiative, reaching out to ASLA members, client groups, allied organizations and the general public to build awareness. A sample of the recent news coverage appears below:
Hospitality Design –Landsscapes now get green rating
Fast Company – Sustainable Sites Initiative: A LEED Rating System for Landscapes
Washington Business Journal – Green Business Award: Education/Outreach Category
Washington Times – Landscape groups announce eco-ratings
Hospitality Design – New Sustainable Landscape Rating System Unveiled
New West – LEED for Weeds: New Program Will Rate Green Landscapes
Contract Magazine – New Sustainable Landscape Rating System Unveiled
GreenBiz.com – ‘LEED for Landscapes’ Aims to Green the Nation’s Greens
Professional Builder – Green Rating System Established for Landscaping
Building Design + Construction – New landscape rating system launches, completes green building puzzle
Green Industry Pros – New Landscape Rating System Could Transform the Green Industry
Obviously, this marks one of many critical steps as we advance the importance and roll of landscape architecture at large as well as within the sustainability world. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact PRI with any questions about the Initiative at 630.668.3788 or email Keven Graham at kgraham@planres.com
AWARDS
- Congratulations to the New Lenox Community Park Dsitrict - one of 36 park districts to be awarded a 2011 OSLAD Grant. The $372,000 will be used to enhance Countryview/Royal Meadows Park, a 16.5 acre existing site. Amenities will include a creative play area, skate park, picnic shelters, tennis courts, parking, boardwalk, and an open space area. PRI is very excited to be a part of this great project.
- March 2011- The Village of Montgomery received the Native Landscaping Award from the EPA and Chicago Wilderness. This award recognized exemplary natural landscaping, conservation and sustainable development projects. Montgomery was recognized for the development and facilitation of the Naturalized Stormwater Management Facility Design and the Planting and Management Design Guidelines prepared by PRI. Congratulations!!
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March 2011-The Carrington Reserve Residential Development was selected by the EPA and Chicago Wilderness for a 2010 Conservation and Native Landscaping Award. The award recognized the use of design techniques to reduce runoff, treat storm water and promote ground water recharge to sustain high-quality fen and wet prairie habitats. PRI developed the sustainable master plan including construction documents. Congratulations!!
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Keven Graham received the Bronze Medal Award for his Small Business Olympics Capabilities Presentation from the SAME Midwest Small Business Expo on March 17, 2011. "Sláinte!" (Health!/Cheers!)
- PRI receives a 94 in Past Perfromance Evaluation Rating, placing us in the Top Quintile for Management Consulting Services. Our top score was under Personnel. The attitude, courtesy and professionalism of PRI staff received a 98. The lowest score received was a 94. The information gathered was supplied by an outside consulting firm and the ratings were based on survey feedback from past customers. A special thanks goes to our employees for all of their hardwork and dedication.
GRAND OPENINGS
- OSLAD Grant IDNR - PrairieWalk Pond in Lisle, IL officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 30, 2010. DragonFly Landing Park will provide a variety of recreational activities for people of all ages while serving as a new storm water retention area to support downtown redevelopment. The site is located just west of Main Street in downtown Lisle at Route 53 and Burlington Avenue. Click here for more information or scroll down to the bottom of this page for larger images of the event.
- Floral Park in Northbrook held a Grand Opening on Saturday, October 23, 2010. The park contains recreational elements for all age groups, including a small sand play area, two playgrounds, four fitness stations and a half-court basketball court. The three-quarter acre park also contains a prairie demonstration area, permeable glass pavement and a rain garden. The weather cooperated and a good time was had by all!
- Keven Graham, Principal of PRI, was recently interviewed for an article on the Sustainable Sites Initiative. This article is featured in Green Building Pro. To read the article click here
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Keven Graham was interviewed by How Stuff Works for an article entitled "10 Creeping Vines That Provide Privacy" to read more please click here
EVENTS
2012 IAPD/IPRA Conference January 26th at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Looking forward to it!!
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
SESC - Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Information
Important changes have been made to the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control (SESC) plan reviews for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Chicago District wetland permit process. For IDOT and Tollway projects in DuPage, Kane, and McHenry counties, respective Soil and Water Conservation Districts no longer oversee plan reviews on behalf of the Corps. Additionally, the Will/South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District no longer performs SESC plan reviews on behalf of the Corps for any project. Instead, petitioners must utilize the Independent SESC Inspector (ISI) process established by the Corps.
Under the ISI process, an independent consultant knowledgeable in soil erosion and sediment control reviews the SESC plan before its submittal to the Corps with the 404 permit application. The consultant also attends pre-construction meetings and periodically inspects the installed SESC measures during construction. The ISI process does not apply to projects in Lake County, where the Stormwater Management Commission reviews all SESC plans, including those for IDOT and Tollway projects. Planning Resources is qualified to perform SESC plan reviews and inspections through the ISI process. Contact us to learn how we can assist you with SESC plan review and site inspections.
Visit this website to read more about the ISI process:
http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/co-r/ISINotice.pdf
SUSTAINABLE NEWS
Gold or Platinum LEED Certification Award for Zoetica Project
Dr. Lillian Ostojich’s commitment to sustainability evolved in concert with the building and construction of the Personalized Wellness Center that she has created in Chicago - Zoeticawww.zoetica.net
Zoetica was founded on the core principals of trust and reliability with the mission to provide the environment, tools, education and support necessary to achieve and maintain radiant health and well being, not only for her clients, but for the general public and, ultimately, the planet as well, by becoming a model for sustainable and healthy living. This began with the facility itself. Dr. Lilly felt very strongly that it was not enough to offer the purest organic products and frontier services to clients if the building conditions and the surroundings where they are provided were impure and harmful to the environment and living organisms.
PRI assisted Zoetica in the landscape design of the exterior entry way and the ornamental landscape plantings. Our focus was on the importance of indoor air quality and sustainable maintenance practices. It was a pleasure working with Zoetica on such an important environmental and sustainable project.
Consistent with this mission, Zoetica is a USGBC/LEED Project. A great deal of time, effort, research and collaboration with others will soon lead Zoetica to be awarded LEED Certification - Gold or Platinum (according to projections by an independent third party 2Point Perspective, 2Point Perspective, whose Principals are LEED Accredited Professionals.)
USGBC: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™
http://www.usgbc.org/
GRAND OPENINGS
Ocotober 30, 2010 –Grant recipient from IDNR - PrairieWalk Pond in Lisle, IL officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, October 30, 2010.
April 22, 2010 – The Grand Opening of Wenonah Tot Lot in Oak Park was held on April 22, 2010. The park has a car and truck theme and is available for children ages 2 to 5. Kids at the park can learn about traffic safety, play in the sand and climb in a VW bug, among other creative activities.
CPSI
In 1997, the Consumer Product Safety Commission published the Handbook for Public Playground Safety to provide voluntary playground safety guidelines for child care facilities, institutions, parks, schools, resorts and other public use sites where children ages 2 months to 12 years play in an outdoor play space. The document has been widely used as an industry standard on playground safety, and in some states, has been incorporated into childcare licensing standards.
We recommend a copy of these standards for every Park and Recreation Agency. It's an invaluable tool for keeping outdoor spaces in compliance. Playground safety is our main objective at PRI. With these ever changing regulations concerning playground safety PRI can assist you by performing safety audits, inspections and maintenance programs to help ensure the safety of the children using your equipment. Our safety inspectors are certified with the Natural Playground Safety Institute and the National Park and Recreation Association. Please give us a call if you have any questions.
GRANTS RECEIVED
· 2010 - New Lenox Community Park District
CountryView/ Royal Meadows Park
· 2009 - City of Rock Island
Douglas Park, Illinois Dept. Of Natural Resources -OSLAD
· 2009 - Village of Minooka
Wapella Street Community Park, Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources
- OSLAD
· 2008 - Park District of Franklin Park
Franklin Park Pool, Illinois Dept. Of Natural Resources
· 2007 - Park District of Oak Park
Longfellow Park, Illinois Dept. Of Natural Resources -OSLAD
· 2007 - Village of Lisle
Garfield Park, Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources
· 2006 - New Lenox Community Park District
Birch Park, Illinois Dept. Of Natural Resources
· 2006 - Frankfort Park District
Main Park, Illinois Department of Natural Resources - OSLAD
· 2006 - Environmental Protection Agency - 319 Grant
Metra Commuter Lot Drainage –Centennial Park-Orland Park
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
PRI is always looking for creative and motivated individuals that can lead and demonstrate strong communication skills. Interested individuals should submit their resume to:
402 W. Liberty Dr.
Wheaton, IL 60187
Attention: Keven Graham
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PLANNING RESOURCES, INC.
402 W. Liberty Drive, Wheaton, IL, 60187
P: 630.668.3788 F: 630.668.4125
webmaster@planres.com
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