The Cary Park District works with our residents to produce user friendly parks that families can enjoy. In the last few years we have completed 23 playground installations including our most recent at West Lake and Chalet Hills Park.

 

 

 

Hoffman Park Phase 1 Development Update
Hoffman Park is a 272-acre property owned by the Cary Park District. Approximately 190-acres of the park is located in the Village of Cary. the site is currently a mix of woodland and wetlands, remnant prairie, open space, trail, and farm operation. The Park District has owned the property since 1999. The Park District utilized community surveys, a public advisory task force and public hearings to help create the development plan that was submitted for the IDNR-OSLAD grant. The District received notice of the grant award in May 2009.

Project Description
The Cary Park District will complete an eco-friendly development of the north-central portion of Hoffman Park in the Village of Cary. The development will include:

• Picnic shelter and public support facilities
• Accessible fishing pier and fishing access to the pond
• Off-leash dog play area more
• Entry driveway and a 20-car parking lot (expansion capable) using bio-swale technology
• Creation of native prairie habitat and wildlife seed plots
• Nature observation shelter overlooking the pond and wetlands
• Accessible community garden and organic gardening demonstration plots more
• Demonstration "worm-farm" for bio-waste reduction more
• Alternative energy generation sources using wind and solar technologies more
• An additional 4,000 linear feet of trail connecting to the existing Hoffman Park trail system, providing nearly 2.25 miles of linked trail and connection to the Village's Cary-Algonquin Road trail more

Public Objectives of the Project
The Park District mission is to provide exceptional recreation, parks and open space opportunities. This project meets our long-range goals by providing the following park and recreation amenities to the community:

• Trails. Over 80% of the community wants to see additional trails available for their use to improve health and wellness, as well as, creating additional pedestrian access and transportation corridors;
• Environmental philosophy of providing best management practices by using bioswale to assist and enhance storm-water management
• Environmental philosophy of utilizing alternate sources of energy where possible
• Creating space for residents to play with their dogs in an off-leash facility
• Providing greater access for fishing and improved pond water quality
• Allowing for community gardening opportunities
• Including opportunities for environmental education and interpretation
• Providing spaces for people to enjoy nature
• Increasing opportunities for social interaction
• Providing space for wildlife feed plots and habitat enhancements
• Improving existing prairie remnants and creating new prairie spaces

Cary Park District Receives State Grant Money for Park Development
Hoffman Park Development Plan (October 26, 2010)

 

 

What is that purple thing hanging in the tree?
It's a sticky trap that Illinois Department of Agriculture officials and cooperators are using to identify where the invasive pest Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is. The traps will not bring Emerald Ash Borer into the area that is already not infested. It will help officials determine if Emerald Ash Borer is already present in the area. The trap uses Manuka oil as an attractant to lure the beetle to it if Emerald Ash Borer is in the area. The surface of the trap is coated with a sticky material which causes the Emerald Ash Borer to adhere to it. The Emerald Ash Borer flight season is from May through August. The traps will be removed after the flight season is complete. Then the traps will be examined for the presence of Emerald Ash Borer.

For more information on Emerald Ash Borer and the trapping program, please visit www.IllinoisEAB.com.

 

Emerald Ash Borer Found at Jaycee Park
A tree in Jaycee Park was discovered to be infested with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an exotic but destructive beetle that attacks ash trees. The tree will be removed according to the guidelines of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. If you suspect EAB has infested a tree on your property please contact your Village Office.

For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture.