Public Properties Division

The Public Properties Division of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of Village-owned buildings and public properties, which include: Village Hall, Police Department, Public Works facilities, including well houses, Airport facilities, rental properties, mechanical services, infrastructures, parks, and the urban forest.

 

 

Parks

Staffing

1 Superintendent 3 Crew Leaders 9 Maintenance Workers Staff Certifications:  Certified Arborists, Licensed Pesticide Applicators, Certified Playground Inspectors

 

Parks Facilities

34 Parks 19 Playgrounds 16 Baseball and Softball Fields 12 Soccer Fields 8 Basketball Courts 6 Volleyball Courts 5 Tennis Courts 3 Football Fields 5 Lakes and ponds for recreational use 2 Beaches 2 Skate ramp parks

1 Bike ramp park 2 Ice rinks (seasonal) 3 concession stands 1 Fen with available tours 11 miles of paved bike route 12 shelters/gazebos 250 Acres of mowing performed weekly during the mowing season with 30 athletic fields mowed twice weekly during the mowing season. 130 Trash cans emptied 2-3 times per week.

When reporting issues regarding park facilities, please be sure to include the name or address of the park you are referencing, along with the location of your concern within the park.

• Damaged park equipment or park facilities

• There is a hornet (or other) nest on park equipment

• Report that the trash cans are full or that there is litter in the park

• Report concerns regarding park lawns and trees

• Bike path or park parking lot needs repair or maintenance

 

 

 

Forestry

 

The Village’s urban forest is regularly challenged with Gypsy Moth, Emerald Ash Borer and Japanese Beetles, as well as a host of other insect threats.  The Village proactively combats these pests by targeting our efforts by identifying areas for treatment and then forming a comprehensive plan to limit the effects these pests have on our Village trees.

 

Gypsy Moth

Infestation Map

The Village has successfully combined forces with McHenry County in a joint effort to conduct aerial pesticide spraying.  Village staff will be installing Gypsy Moth traps throughout the entire Village.  The traps are bright green and made of cardboard.  They have a lure with phermones installed inside that attract the male moth.  The purpose of these traps is to track the spread of the moth within the Village.  The traps are strategically placed and we ask that you don’t put up any traps of your own.  Too many traps will cause confusion for the male moths and we will not be able to collect accurate data.

 

Now is the time of year to locate and remove Gypsy moth egg masses. In areas where you know Gypsy Moth exists, it is important to inspect outdoor materials for all life stages of Gypsy Moth, especially when you are transporting items from one area to another.  Be familiar with what caterpillars and egg masses look like.  If you find Gypsy Moth egg masses, you can spray the eggs with a soy bean based oil called Golden Pest Spray Oil.  Egg mass removal is also an option of control.  However, you must be sure to remove the entire mass and all the eggs.  Once removed, you can either place the masses in a microwave safe bag and “cook” them for one minute, or place them in a bucket of soapy water for two days, then discard.  Simply scraping the eggs off and leaving them, or trying to crush them does not work.  Remember, every egg killed is one less caterpillar!

 

For more information regarding the Gypsy Moth, click the link below to view the Homeowner's Guide to the Gypsy Moth in Illinois.

 

 

Japanese Beetle

The Public Works Department has had increased concerns from residents in regards to the numbers of Japanese Beetles in our area. We are informing them on how they can protect their landscape from this destructive pest. When the growing season is upon us, our residents will soon be seeking the supplies to help protect their landscapes from the Japanese Beetles.

 

The following information will help educate residents and provide a list of supplies necessary to protect their landscape.  Click here 

 

 

Emerald Ash Borer

We are also treating a select group of Ash trees for Emerald Ash Borer.  We will be injecting the trees with insecticide to kill the larvae as they feed on the treated wood.  In instances where the trees are infested and not salvageable, the tree will be removed and replaced as scheduled.

 

The Forestry staff is currently inspecting all Village Ash trees for Emerald Ash Borer.  As of July 7, 2010, staff has positively identified Emerald Ash Borer in the Spring Lake Farms North subdivision.  We identified two trees that were infested, and they will be removed and replaced in the fall of 2010.  There are 407 Village maintained trees in Spring Lake Farms North, with 154 of them being Ash trees.  In 2009, the Village treated 24 Ash trees.  Forestry staff will be injecting 11 more in the fall of 2010.  We have also identified four more trees in the Meadowbrook subdivision to be infested.  If you have any question regarding Emerald Ash Borer, or if you believe you have an infestation, please contact the Public Works Department at 847-960-7500. 

For current information regarding the Emerald Ash Borer, visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture website, Emerald Ash Borer News Letter, or  www.EmeraldAshBorer.info.

 

 

 

 

 

Tree Trimming

The winter months are the best time to prune and remove damaged or dead branches from your trees.  Wounds heal faster when they are done before the spring growth.  Not only is it important when you trim your trees, but how as well.  Proper pruning techniques will ensure that the minimal amount of wounding and crown reduction are done.  For more information on the proper pruning techniques, please go to

http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/pruning_mature.aspx.

 

To see if trimming is planned on your street, click on the trimming schedule using the link below:

Tree Trimming Schedule

 

When would you contact the forestry division?  See the list of common questions below that a resident would direct to our forestry division.  When reporting concerns about the parkway trees, please be sure to provide the address, the location of the tree in question and details as to the concerns you have.

• Village tree planting or parkway tree maintenance program

• Where can I find the Village Tree List?

• I need an arborist to come out and take a look at my parkway tree

• I think my parkway tree is dead; please confirm

• My parkway tree has a broken branch/limb

• My parkway tree has been damaged

• My parkway tree needs to be trimmed

• There is a hornet (or other) nest in my parkway tree

• Tree removal inquiries

• General forestry questions