La Grange Park sustainability commission highlights volunteer-run events, asks for volunteers

The La Grange Park Sustainability Commission presented its annual overview to the village board, summarizing multi‑year participation in community events and outreach.

Commission member Mark Cohen told trustees the commission’s native garden tour is in its sixth year in partnership with Go Green LaGrange and draws roughly 100–120 visitors per year, many from across Cook County. He said the commission partners with homeowners to showcase native gardens and that “dozens of houses participate across LaGrange Park and LaGrange.”

Cohen said the school supply exchange, which the commission adopted from a community volunteer a few years ago, expanded to 12 schools and 19 organizations this year and depends on volunteer sorting and distribution. He described the pumpkin smash — now in its seventh year — as a popular diversion from landfill disposal, noting that last year the event collected about 3.7 tons of pumpkins and that SCARCE collects and composts the material. Cohen said a combined electronics reclamation event will be held at the school the same day as the Nov. 8 pumpkin smash at the public works maintenance facility and asked residents to volunteer to help with traffic and carrying items.

On outreach, Cohen said the commission manages a Facebook page with about 792 followers and publishes weekly posts; he said posts and shares help amplify event notices and sustainability tips. The commission also described door‑hanger outreach to discourage “volcano” mulch piles around parkway trees, clothing swap events, and past solar presentations conducted with outside organizations.

Trustees asked procedural questions about a separate planned shredding event (the commission postponed vendor selection to early next year to re‑solicit vendors) and whether nonperishable food collection had been considered; commissioners said their recent discussions have focused on composting and related sustainability programming rather than food drives. Trustee comments praised the commission’s volunteer work and asked staff to circulate event dates when final. Cohen closed by reiterating the request for volunteers for Nov. 8 and other upcoming events.