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"Your Plan It" Newsletter
This newsletter will be distributed quarterly and our featured,
full length article this quarter is:
Sustainable Sites Initiative
Past issues:
Spring 2009
The Status of Local NPDES Activity and How It Affects YOU
For information regarding Concrete Washout Specs please click on the following links:
"Concrete Washout Specs"
Exhibit A, Exhibit B, Exhibit C
DID YOU KNOW ...
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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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Wenenoh Tot Lot Park in Oak Park opened on April 22, 2010. This park, designed by PRI, features truck and car themed apparatus which assist children ages 2 through 5 with their developmental skills. Some of these skills include: eye hand coordination, gross motor skills, cause and effect, creativity, confidence and lifelong friendships.
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Michele Martzke, our Project Ecologist, is now a Certified Wetland Specialist in Lake County. Congratulations Michele, nice job!
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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
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Longfellow Park in Oak Park, Illinois was awarded the Cavalcade of Pride Award in December of 2009. The Oak Park Community Design Commission will present this award to the Park District on January 4, 2010 in appreciation of the Park District's valuable contribution to the appearance of the Village of Oak Park. Congratulations Darrell, Lori and Ryan.
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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
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Congress recently introduced comprehensive legislation that will reestablish goals and principles for the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Act (UPARR). The Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act will provide grants to states and localities to create, rehabilitate, and maintain urban parks and recreational facilities across the country.
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PRI provided the conceptual design, master plan development, construction documentation, and contract administration for both parks pictured in Oak Park's article entitled "Building a Capital Improvement Plan to Last" To read more please click on the link.
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On September 3, 2009, the plaza outside of the Village of Woodridge was dedicated to Joel and Laurie Kagann for their dedication and many years of public service. PRI designed the landscape for the courtyard and the dedication plaque.
Pictured below from left to right: The Kagann's and Mayor Murphy
EVENTS ATTENDED
Keven Graham presented to Ball Horticulture on Wednesday, April, 19 2010. His presentation covered the Sustainable Sites Initiative.
Keven Graham, Principal of Landscape Architecture/Site Design spoke at the PA Parks and Recreation Show on Monday March 22, 2010. Keven spoke on the Sustainable Sites Initative. The show was well attended. If you need additional information on the Sustainable Sites Intiative please contact Keven at kgraham@planres.com
AWARDS
2009 Outstanding Facility & Parks Award
The Park District of Franklin Park submitted a nomination for Birch Park. The park was chosen as the winner in its division and category for the Illinois Park & Recreation Association's Awards and Recognition Program. Last year, Franklin Park won this same award for Championship Park.
The Outstanding Facility & Parks Award recognized public agencies for their exceptional and unique achievements in design and development. It is an honor to announce that this nomination scored the highest total points among those entries submitted in its division and category from across the State of Illinois. Congratulations, Darrell and Lori!
2008-2009 Design Achievement Award
Iowa State Design Achievement award recognized outstanding mid-career creative and professional achievements of alumni in any of the college's disciplines. This years' recipients included Keven Graham (BLA 1989 Landscape Architecture). For more information please visit the link below:
http://www.design.iastate.edu/designachievementaward.php
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
2010 NPDES Information
Stormwater runoff from construction sites contains various pollutants, the most abundant of which is sediment. On February 1, 2010, new rules by the U.S. EPA for controlling the turbidity (i.e., clarity) of stormwater discharge from construction sites went into effect. Similar to the way the Non-Point Source Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program was phased, EPA is phasing the turbidity program. Beginning on August 1, 2011, sites that disturb 20+ acres at one time will have to monitor stormwater turbidity. On February 2, 2014, monitoring requirements will extend to sites that disturb 10+ acres.
To prevent sediment from muddying streams, the new rule limits the average daily turbidity of construction site stormwater to 280 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units). The Illinois EPA will incorporate turbidity monitoring requirements (e.g., type, frequency, and interval of sampling) into permits. Turbidity limits will apply to rainfall events up to the local 2-year, 24-hour storm.
Conractors can use Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce the amount of sediment in stormwater by protecting soil from erosion and slowing down flowing, sediment-laden water. In fact, BMPs also are required by the new rule. Construction BMPs may include installing silt fence around the site’s perimeter or laying erosion control blanket over bare soil.
When fully implemented, U.S. EPA estimates the program will reduce pollutant loads by 4 billion pounds per year. For more information and to read the full rule published in the Federal Register, visit http://www.epa.gov/guide/construction/#proposed.
Please feel free to contact PRI if you have questions about this or other NPDES regulations.
2009 Mitigation Award
The Village of Lisle has just received the 2009 Mitigation Award for Floodplain and Stormwater Management from the Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management. This award is given to the individual or community that has encouraged flood hazard reduction through a buyout program, retrofitting, preparation of a mitigation plan, or similar mitigation efforts. The Village of Lisle purchased around twenty-five single family homes in the floodplain, demolished them, and used the land to build a stormwater basin that provides both detention and compensatory storage for development and redevelopment of properties in downtown Lisle. The project was complicated because the basin was located in the floodplain. DuPage County required FEQ modeling and therefore creative engineering was necessary to deal with the challenges of the floodplain and the close proximity of Route 53. The basin was designed by PRI and is an interesting shape and includes a great deal of native landscaping. The Village was also awarded an OSLAD Grant to add a walking trail, pergola, gazebo, interpretive signs, and a children's play area with a nature theme. The site will also include a green roof. Congratulations to the Village of Lisle!
Army Corps News
The Chicago Army Corps district website now has a link on its website to the Regional Internet Bank Information Tracking System (RIBITS) database. The database displays, by Corps district, the number of wetland mitigation bank credits that are approved and available for purchase. This database is a useful tool for anyone applying for a Section 404 permit. Access the RIBITS website from the Chicago Corps District Regulatory Branch homepage (click on ‘RIBITS’ in the lower right-hand corner of the chart): http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/co-r/index.htm, or click on this link to access the site directly:
http://216.83.232.125.443/pls/htmldf/f?p=101
To view approved mitigation credits on the RIBITS site, you do not need to log in.
1. Go to the lower left-hand corner of the screen and change the drop-down filter to 'Chicago .’
2. On the same screen, click on ‘Reporting’ under the Navigation bar. A new page should appear.
3. On the new page, click on ‘Approved Active Mitigation Banks by District.’ Names of mitigation banks and their available credits will be displayed.
The site also provides information on mitigation policy and guidance, wetland classification, and the bank positioning system. Browse the site at your leisure!
http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/co-r/index.htm,
or click on this link to access the site directly:
http://216.83.232.125.443/pls/htmldf/f?p=101
To view approved mitigation credits on the RIBITS site, you do not need to log in.
1. Go to the lower left-hand corner of the screen and change the drop-down filter to 'Chicago .’
2. On the same screen, click on ‘Reporting’ under the Navigation bar. A new page should appear.
3. On the new page, click on ‘Approved Active Mitigation Banks by District.’ Names of mitigation banks and their available credits will be displayed.
The site also provides information on mitigation policy and guidance, wetland classification, and the bank positioning system. Browse the site at your leisure!
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. Kevin Jury, Assistant Director of Environmental Studies, is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control and a Lake County Designated Erosion Control Inspector. 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
Dupage County Information
The DuPage County Board approved the BMP Ordinance, and those changes took effect August 1, 2008. The County held training sessions in late June/early July 2008. The initial sessions targeted regulators and planners, so that communities could effectively incorporate this aspect into their review processes.
The DuPage County Tax Map format has changed. They used to be 11 x 17 sized and black/white reproductions. Tax maps will be color .pdf files and based on sections. An FTP site will allow direct access of GIS data, with real estate information to be updated weekly, so property ownership data will be current.
DuPage County has a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to update the county’s topography mapping. New topography will be based off 2006 flight data.
DuPage County is in the midst of a Height Modernization Program for establishing elevation data. Currently, the County uses the 1929 datum. Changes in technology and loss of physical survey control points necessitates the shift to the NAVD (North American Vertical Datum) 88 datum. The County anticipates this shift happening by January 2009.
On the wetlands front, the Chicago District Corps of Engineers is proposing to re-issue General Permit 25 between the Corps and DuPage County. This GP will allow the County to assume responsibility for the review of projects in DuPage County requiring federal authorization under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Under the GP, the Corps must formally assign the County to review a project under the GP. The County does not have authority to issue the Section 404 permit. Unlike the old GP, the new GP will include State water quality (Section 401) certification, for projects that meet the terms and conditions. This should reduce project delays for many projects in partial and non-waiver communities where a 401 certification was not part of the Section 404 permit.
Please be aware that the proposed GP 25 will not expedite getting Corps’ jurisdictional determination, but it will help reduce overlap of reviews for proposed projects. However, word is that the County is also discussing the jurisdictional determination issue with the Corps.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 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 - Zoetica www.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/
Outdoor Recreation Facilities Planning
PRI prepared an update to this guide in February of 2006 and it is available for viewing currently at http://www.dnr.state.il.us/ocd/guides.htm.
The intent of this publication is to provide background information, identify standards and share recommendations for communities considering the construction or rehabilitation of outdoor recreation facilities. We hope that you find this useful.
Grand Openings
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.
May 30, 2009 – The Grand Re-Opening of Longfellow Park was celebrated and explored with over 400 residents in attendance. Longfellow Park underwent major renovations to improve and expand the facilities. The play area features a synthetic, resilient, slip-resistant surface for all to enjoy. A significant percentage of the project was funded through grant funds by the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) matching grant program among others.
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
· 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
Tinley Park Train Station named Illinois 'Great Place'
The Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has selected Tinley Park's Oak Park Ave. train station to be on its list of "150 Great Places in Illinois".
The group presented Tinley Park with an award recognizing the achievement. In addition, the train station is featured with other honored places on the group's web site
www.illinoisgreatplaces.com.
The web site's description of the train station says it "reclaims the traditional role of the train station as a ceremony place of arrival." The list is part of the chapter's celebration of the AIA's 150th anniversary. The initiative was begun to raise awareness about architecture's effect on the quality of life for Illinois residents.
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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