An illustration of Gillson Park’s future Bird Habitat
WILMETTE – Despite the cold weather, more than 30 Wilmette residents attended the Park District’s open house on Feb. 24 concerning plans to create a migrant bird habitat in Gillson Park. Consultant Living Habitat provided images to show residents what type of plants will be used as well as where they will be located throughout the park.
In May 2015 the Park District received a $60,000 matching grant from The United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the project, which will include a layering of native wildflowers, grasses and shrubs planted beneath existing larger canopy trees. The Ouilmette Foundation has committed to funding the $60,000 balance.
At the Park District board’s January 2016 meeting, the board selected Living Habitats from five firms that responded to the Park District’s Request For Proposal (RFP). Living Habitats was chosen based on its work experience and glowing recommendations. Located in Chicago, Living Habitats worked for the Chicago Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum and Openlands Lakeshore Preserve. The firm’s fees for service are $17,895.
The design will be implemented in phases over a three-year period, allowing the Park District to observe bird behavior at various stages. The Park District is required to report its findings to the Department of Fish and Wildlife as part of the grant.
The project is in the early stages of development, with the goal of this meeting to educate and receive feedback from the public. Living Habitats will continue to refine their ideas and hopes to have more information to show at Go Green Wilmette’s Going Green Matters Fair on March 13.
The Park District will be placing the information from the meeting on its website www.wilmettepark.org.
Gilson Park on a chilly January day in 2016; soon Wilmette will construct a bird sanctuary in the park. Photography by George Pfoertner for JWC Media.
