harvest fest - the Burr Ridge Park District

Park Development
Harvester Park Wetland and Native
Enhancement Update
The Park District still awaits final DuPage County permit
approval, which is anticipated shortly. At that time, work will
commence on improvements located within the delineated wetland
and buffer, including
hard surface paths,
fishing deck, foot and
floating bridges/docks,
shoreline rocky outcroppings,
wetland mitigation,
execution of planting/
eradication plans,
and construction of
interpretive elements.
The District expects
work to continue on in
phases until final completion
in Fall 2010.
Elements completed to
date include: wetland
shelter, main electric
cabling, and outdoor
classroom area.
Our Neighbors,
Our Partners
At one time, the Harvester Park site was owned by
International Harvester, and was part of a campus and facility
that developed and tested agricultural and construction
machinery and innovations. The company today is known
as Case New Holland (CNH), and its Burr Ridge facility,
located on the northern border of Harvester Park, serves as
its North American
headquarters.
CNH has been a good
neighbor and good
friend of the Park
District. The company
has regularly participated
in our Harvest
Fest event and provides
the equipment
and labor for hay wagon rides.
Additionally, CNH has contributed $40,000 and invaluable
staff time to develop and build an interactive and educational
display area celebrating the global impact of CNH
today and over history. This discovery area will be located
at the new wetland shelter.
The Park District appreciates the support of CNH and wishes
to acknowledge their commitment to our community
and residents.
More Information on Educational and Interpretive Improvements
At the core of the program is the development of “Discovery Centers”, interactive stations which will focus on a
variety of food chains and ecosystems found within the wetland and prairie. Discovery Centers will contain both
pictorial/informational presentation and hands-on, manipulative experience for a number of related topics. Local
school educators are participating in topic development to ensure compatibility with school curriculum and future
school educational outings to the site. The program will offer discovery opportunities for all ages despite its 6-12
years primary target.
Discovery Centers Under Development
34
Trail Head Kiosk
Featuring lookout tower, climbing
toys, maps, species information,
park rules and regulations, Park
District announcements, rustic
bench seating.
Fishing Dock/Blue Heron
Life-size replica of Great Blue
Heron, with information and
viewing scope to locate decoy at
other end of pond. Fish species
information and Illinois fishing
rules and regulations.
Plant Communities
A focus on plant diversity, with a
unique visual opportunity to
review actual root structure
beneath the surface. Native
versus invasive plants.
Wetland Benefits
Focus on the Harvester site; what
it drains, where it goes, what
purpose it serves. General benefits
and diminishing wetlands.
Hands-on interactive demonstrating
absorption of water in this
type of land form.
Pond Chemistry
Key indicators for measuring the
health of a pond. The microscopic
community that forms the sustenance
for all pond life.
Bug’s Life
Have fun “being a bug” and
learning about the fascinating
world of insects at the wetlands.
CNH Pavilion
An “outdoor museum” style presentation
on Company history, achievements,
product lines. Custom
developed interactive “toys”
presenting GPS, gears and torque,
and the inner workings of a combine
Coyote Cove/The Urban Coyote
Spend an interactive night with the
fictional Sanitary Canal Pack as they
make their rounds through the wetlands
as part of their weekly patrol
and learn about their territory, home,
and urban habitat.