Native Gardening

• Supports pollinators and local wildlife
• Improves soil health and water retention
• Reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers
• Enhances the beauty of public spaces

Residents interested in planting native gardens in parkways should follow the Parkway Planting Ordinance. These guidelines ensure that plantings are safe, ecologically beneficial, and compliant with local regulations.

• The Village Forester is responsible for maintaining the trees and shrubs in the Village Parkways. Planting or maintenance of trees and shrubs in the parkway requires approval from the Village.
• Property owners can plant cultivated gardens in the parkway adjacent to their properties. The Village encourages native gardens.

Parkway gardens must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Plants must be maintained in a way that does not pose a danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the general public.
• Parkway plants should not exceed 36” in height, or 30” within a clear sight area for the safety of user of the sidewalks and streets.
• Keep the sidewalk and road clear of any plant material.
• Maintain a clear area of 4 feet around fire hydrants to maintain visibility and access.
• Garden containers less than 30 gallons can be placed in the parkway between March 1 and October 31

Getting started on planting native plants can be confusing, but there are lots of resources to help get started.

• Home Grown National Park’s Getting Started with Natives offers ideas and approaches and plant selection based on your ecoregion (Oak Park is Ecoregion Level II: 8/2 Central USA Plains)
• Wild Ones is a national organization which helps people get native plants in the ground and love the results. Start with Creating Your Own Native Garden and explore all their resources.

• Wild Ones West Cook is the Wild Ones local chapter that covers West Cook County and has resources specific to Cook County and even Oak Park.
  • Native Gardening for the Neighborhood - presented in conjunction with the Village of Oak Park and Oak Park Public Library
  •  Getting Started with a Native Garden
  •  West Cook Wild Ones Parkway Planting and Natural Lawn Tips
  • Many other resources are under the Learning and Resources tab at West Cook Wild Ones

Native songbird and butterfly populations have declined, largely due to changes in the quality and availability of their habitat. You can help by creating landscapes which attract and support birds, butterflies, and other wildlife and pollinators.

• Guidance from the National Audubon Society: Audubon: Plants for Birds
• Guidance from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: Xerces Society: Pollinator Friendly Plant Lists
• The University of Illinois Extension Service provides guidance on plant selection and garden design: Illinois Pollinators
• Pollinator Partnership provides resources on Bee-Friendly Gardening, specific Regional Guides, and a detailed brochures including Illinois, Eastern Broadleaf Forest Plant Guide.

Available on the websites of these (and other) organizations working on native gardening and conservation:

• Homegrown National Park
• Illinois Native Plant Society
• Metropolitan Water Reclamation District: Native Landscaping
• Pollinator Partnership
• West Cook Wild Ones
• Wild Ones
• The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation