Rockford Park District
Environmental Policies
Environmental Issues and Actions
RPD Environmental mission: To wisely use, recycle, and conserve our resources to build a better future in our urban Park District.
RPD Environmental Policy: Recognizing the increasing public awareness and concern about environmental issues within our community, it is our intent to:
- Assume a leadership role in the development and use of sound environmental policies, practices and opportunities.
- Encourage staff and set an example in the promotion of sound environmental practices and lifestyles
- Reflect our environmental concerns, political realities, funding and natural resources of our parks system in the Environmental Policy document which serves as a guide to our decision-making as we develop action plans for the future.
Environmental Position Statement: The Rockford Park District is committed to careful stewardship of the environment, and applies these principles for all of our environmental policies, practices, and procedures:
- Use renewable resources
- Conserve nonrenewable resources and energy
- Reduce waste and collect recycling items in parks and at facilities
- Recycle material and practice safe waste disposal
- Eliminate or minimize pollutants
- Restrict the use of pesticides and herbicides
- Integrate organic pest management practices
- Reduce energy consumption
Some of our Environmental Action: The Rockford Park District encourages our patrons to recycle while enjoying Park District parks and facilities. We strive to increase our role in the community by reducing our waste stream. The Park District is purchasing utility trucks and lawn equipment that use alternative fuel blends and hybrid vehicles!
Prairie areas are maintained at Atwood, Searls, Aldeen, and Alpine parks. Natural areas have been established at Searls, Atwood, Talcott-Page, Black Hawk, Aldeen, Shorewood and Levings parks. Naturalization has been done at golf courses, which includes no-mow areas and taller grasses, and the golf courses belong to the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program, with Sandy Hollow and Aldeen receiving certification.
Christmas Tree Recycling takes place every year at several parks where people can drop off their trees for recycling into wood chips free for the taking. The wood chips are also used on nature trails throughout the Park District.
Recently, recycling programs have been implemented in administration buildings, Sportscore complexes, golf courses, ice rinks, swimming pools, downtown parks, and at special events. We actively encourage our patrons to "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle while at work, at home, at play!" Look for the special containers and place your aluminum cans and plastic bottles in these for easy recycling.
For decades, the District has taught Environmental Education and actively participated in recycling at Atwood Environmental Center and formerly at the Linda K. White Youth Learning Center in Aldeen Park.
Prairie areas are maintained at Atwood, Searls, Aldeen, and Alpine parks. Natural areas have been established at Searls, Atwood, Talcott-Page, Black Hawk, Aldeen, Shorewood and Levings parks. Naturalization has been done at golf courses, which includes no-mow areas and taller grasses, and the golf courses belong to the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program, with Sandy Hollow and Aldeen receiving certification.
Christmas Tree Recycling takes place every year at several parks where people can drop off their trees for recycling into wood chips free for the taking. The wood chips are also used on nature trails throughout the Park District.
Recently, recycling programs have been implemented in administration buildings, Sportscore complexes, golf courses, ice rinks, swimming pools, downtown parks, and at special events. We actively encourage our patrons to "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle while at work, at home, at play!" Look for the special containers and place your aluminum cans and plastic bottles in these for easy recycling.
For decades, the District has taught Environmental Education and actively participated in recycling at Atwood Environmental Center and formerly at the Linda K. White Youth Learning Center in Aldeen Park.