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Village presents Integrated Pest Management report covering turf, prairie burns and tree preservation
Summary
Superintendent John Fennell presented the village Integrated Pest Management (IPM) report, detailing turf maintenance, prairie prescribed burns, tree preservation work including Dutch Elm Disease and emerald ash borer treatments, sustainable landscaping and mosquito abatement plans.
The Parks and Recreation Commission received an Integrated Pest Management report from John Fennell on May 20 that summarized turf management, prairie prescribed burns, tree preservation, sustainable landscapes and mosquito abatement for 2024–2025.
The report matters because IPM practices guide pesticide use, habitat management, stormwater mitigation and tree care across village green spaces and parks, affecting public health, safety and long‑term maintenance costs.
John Fennell, identified himself as "the superintendent of forestry grounds as well as the village's pest management coordinator," and he reviewed five IPM components: turf maintenance, prairie maintenance (prescribed burns), tree preservation, sustainable landscapes (rain gardens), and mosquito abatement. He said the village maintains more than 114 acres of turf in parks and an additional 23 acres in green spaces and that in 2024 staff applied more than 3,500 pounds of a bluegrass/perennial ryegrass seed blend and aerated over 16 acres of turf.
On prairie management, Fennell said prescribed burns were performed at the Charleston Road Aquatic Garden (about 1.5 acres) and the Hinsdale Prairie (over 3 acres) after state permits were obtained; he reported native plants responded well. On trees, he reported the village has an estimated 14,826 public trees and noted that last year 346 elm trees were treated to prevent Dutch elm disease and 255 ash trees were treated for emerald ash borer; 249 public trees were newly planted while approximately 212 were removed.
Fennell said the village rebuilt seven rain gardens in the woodlands in 2024 and will continue sustainable landscaping work. For mosquito abatement he said West Nile virus cases fell in the region last year (33 cases in Cook County, 9 in DuPage County) and that the village is coordinating with Clark Mosquito Control and the Des Plaines Mosquito Abatement District for village areas in Cook County.
Commissioners asked about frequency of burns, turf evaluation criteria and drainage; Fennell said prescribed burns are performed annually when fuel loads and conditions permit, staff performs late‑summer turf evaluations for density/weeds/aesthetics and that deep aeration helps soil porosity and drainage. Commissioners did not take a formal vote; the IPM report will remain part of ongoing operations.
