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Downers Grove has an
active program to establish native vegetation in appropriate locations
around the village. Recent areas converted or in the process of being
converted to native
vegetation include the retention area south of 2nd St. at Florence, the
Belmont BNSF underpass area, and the corner of Fairview and Austin.
 Restoring native
vegetation in these areas helps
retain stormwater, lowers maintenance
costs, provides a valuable resource for pollinator species, and a
colorful display of wildflowers and native plants through three
seasons. Click
here to see a short video about this program.Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance supports and encourages the Village with these projects through volunteer work and assistance with grant applications. * * * * *
COVID-19 and the Great Outdoors A visit to a local
park or forest preserve can be a nice break from the
routine of “sheltering in place” during the COVID-19 emergency. A brisk
walk or run can be a good way to get your steps in. Local outdoor
recreation areas are
generally open for hiking, walking and running, with some exceptions.
Downers Grove Park District –– The Park District has announced the reopening of some programs, services and amenities under Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. Information and updates at dgparks.org/news/together-again DuPage County Forest Preserves –– The preserves are open including parking lots, trails, and off-leash dog areas. Buildings and restrooms are closed. At some facilities, the buildings are closed but grounds and surrounding areas are open: Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, Mayslake Peabody Estate, and St. James Farm. Information and updates at dupageforest.org/coronavirus * * * * *
Planning Improved Village Facilities The Village
Council is considering various options for
 improved village
facilities. The discussion of these options at the council
meeting March 10th included a good
deal of public comment. Chair Ken
Lerner spoke then on behalf of Pierce Downer's Heritage
Alliance. Ken stressed the importance of taking the long view, saying, "So if we're going to build a building, let's do it right, and build it in a way that will enable us to use it for a long time. That includes (a) allowing for future growth, and (b) making those investments in sustainability that will pay off over the long run in areas such as energy savings or storm water management." Please click here for more information about options under consideration and to read Ken's statement in full. * * * * *
1846 Blodgett House
Public tours
inside the 1846 Blodgett House started on Saturday, December
14, during last year's Merry and Bright celebration
at the Downers Grove Museum, 831 Maple Avenue.
 Thanks
to community-wide support the 1846 Blodgett House has come a long way
during the past decade, well beyond its initial journey from Randall
Street onto the Park District's Museum Campus. Substantial progress
toward completion of the building's interior has been achieved in 2019
as a result of two major grants. The house now looks really great Come to look around inside the 1846 Blodgett House before long. Regular monthly tours are once again being offered. The next Saturday afternoon tour is scheduled on August 29th. Attendance is quite limited so please sign up for your tour in advance on the Park District's registration page. * * * * *
Historic Preservation Activities The
Village's historic preservation program was revised in 2015,
contributing to an increased interest in landmarking homes and other
structures. Since then twenty-six historic features have been granted
local landmark status in Downers Grove –– nine structures in 2016,
another nine in 2017, four more in 2018 and four historic features in
2019.
The Village Council unanimously approve   The Village Council unanimously approved landmark status on July 9th for the Robert J. Darnley House, 4721 Highland Avenue, at the request of Ted and Andrea Anderson. Please click here to learn about this Craftsman Cottage home that was built circa 1904.  On April 16th landmark status for the Village owned Main Street Cemetery, 5158 Main Street, was unanimously approved by the Village Council following a request by the Downers Grove Historical Society. Learn about this source of civic pride and identity that was established in 1856 by clicking here.  The
Village Council unanimously approved landmark status on February 5,
2019
for the H. M. Patton House, 5 Jacqueline Drive, at
the request of Judith M. Erickson. Please click here to learn about this English Country
Revival home that was built circa 1927. Please click here to read about the presentation to Friends Of The Edwards House of the 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Advocacy. Please click here for a complete listing of the 28 historic features that have been granted local landmark status in Downers Grove. * * * * *
Betty Cheever & Wally Brown Honored Many organizations and individuals joined forces to honor Betty M. Cheever and Wallace H. (Wally) Brown (June 16, 1928 - April 23, 2019) with tribute benches in Lyman Woods Preserve. A celebration of Betty Cheever's and Wally Brown's community leadership took place on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Lyman Woods Interpretative Center. Please click here to learn more about this event and the tribute benches honoring Betty Cheever and the late Wally Brown. * * * * *
Heritage Alliance Mission Statement Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance is committed to sound and sustainable environmental practices; protection and appreciation of our community's outstanding natural features, such as Lyman Woods and Belmont Prairie; and preservation of significant cultural traditions, including the rich architectural heritage of Downers Grove. The Alliance works to promote appreciation, protection and enhancement of our community's natural and cultural heritage through education, advocacy, stewardship and community outreach. Last
updated 7/29/2020
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 Village Council Meeting Tuesday, August 4, 2020 Meeting Agenda Click here to read our 2020 Spring Newsletter * * * * * Click here to read our 2019 Fall Newsletter * * * * * Please consider a charitable donation to support educational activities of Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance. Click here to see Ashley Wurth's slides about Urban Coyotes from our 2016 Annual Meeting. * * * * * Click here to see Michael Lambert's slides on Historic Preservation in Geneva, IL from our 2015 Annual Meeting. * * * * * Click here to learn about beekeeping in Lyman Woods. * * * * * 1846
Blodgett House
The 1846 Blodgett House is one
of the Village's oldest houses, reflecting our rich cultural heritage. PDHA supports the preservation of such valuable historic resources for future generations. Click here to learn about the 1846 Blodgett House project. * * * * *
Click here to learn about other * * * * * |