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A visit to a local
park or forest preserve can be a nice break 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 TIER 3 MITIGATION MEASURES beginning Friday, November 20. 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. * * * * *
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. Monthly tours that were offered during the summer have been suspended for now. Please consult the Park District's registration page for information about future 1846 Blodgett House tours and other interesting activities. * * * * *
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 approved land  mark status on December 10, 2019
for the John and Doris Mochel House, 5329 Meadow Lane at the
request of Louise and Peter Trucano. Please click here to learn about this Mid-Century Modern home that was built in 1964. 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.
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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 11/27/2020
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  Village Council Meeting Tuesday, December 1, 2020 Meeting Agenda Village Hall Remote Participation Only Downers Grove, IL 60515 * *
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PDHA Virtual Meeting Thursday, December 10, 2020 * * * * * Click here to read our 2020 Fall Newsletter * * * * * Click here to read our 2020 Spring 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 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
local historic preservation activities in Downers Grove. * * * * * |