Earth Month Events in Park Forest

The Village of Park Forest is spreading the word about sustainability by hosting a variety of events in honor of Earth Month during April. Upcoming events include:

April 15: “How to Make Your Home Sustainable” Talk from 10 a.m.-noon in the Village Hall Board Room, 350 Victory Drive

Environment Commissioner Jim Saxton will present steps you can take to make your home more sustainable.

April 22: Southland Local Food Systems Expo from 1-4 p.m. at Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street

An afternoon of food, fun and tons of information! Learn how communities can come together to create positive change, lessening burdens on the environment and our health. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are free but in limited quality. While walk-ins are welcome, priority will be given to ticket holders.

April 23: Sustainability Bus Tour from 1-2 p.m.

Tour the ground solar array at the Water Treatment Plant, visit the Central Park Wetlands and stop by a community garden. Space is limited, and registration is required.

April 29: Annual Free Shredding & Drug Take Back Event from 10 a.m.-noon in the Village Hall Parking Lot, 350 Victory Drive

Recycle sensitive documents and dispose of prescription drugs safely! Residency not required. Limit 2 copy paper-sized boxes of paper per vehicle. No three-ring binders, plastic sleeves, liquids or sharps. Pull up in your vehicle and the boxes will be retrieved from your trunk.

The Village of Park Forest is offers more than just the events listed above and in the handy graphic below. For a complete list of Earth Month events, please visit vopf.com/890/Earth-Month-2023 or go to villageofparkforest.com/sustainability for details and registration.

School District 161 Community Clean Up 2022

Flossmoor School District 161 held a community clean up event at Flossmoor Hills Elementary School on April 9, 2022. Volunteers collected litter from the school grounds. Thanks to all who participated in the Clean Up event, Homewood Disposal for presenting to fourth and fifth grade students this month, and students and staff who have been problem solving and discussing recycling correctly.

Park Forest Community Clean Up 2022

The Sustainability office completed a very successful first Annual Community Clean Up this past Saturday picking up litter the entire length of Tamarack street.  There were 28 volunteers including Mayor Vanderbilt and his 3 children, 3 Environment Commissioners, many hard working NHS students, and a resident from Homewood in the mix.  The rain held out, and they braved the cold, wet elements to collect 51 bags of trash, 1 bag of recycling, a TV, 2 tires, a broken chair and a mattress/box spring set.  This event wouldn’t have been a success without the Parks department for all the supplies and Public Works for picking up the waste collected. Many thanks to all involved.

This event was in collaboration with the Chicago Southland Green Committee made up of the many agencies in Homewood, Flossmoor, Olympia Fields and Park Forest including libraries, school districts, villages and parks departments.  There was companion Clean Up events happening on Saturday in the other communities as well as throughout this month.

Community Clean Up 2022

The Chicago Southland Green Committee organizes a Community Clean Up event each year in April to celebrate Earth Month. Everyone is encouraged to come out and clean up streets, yards, parks, common areas, and other locations in their communities.

Our next Community Clean Up is Saturday, April 2nd, 2022. Flossmoor School District 161 will host their Community Clean Up event on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

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Sign up for the Village of Flossmoor’s Community Clean Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4eaeab2eabffc43-flossmoor

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Flossmoor Village Hall parking lot
2800 Flossmoor Road
Flossmoor, IL

We will be tackling the litter along Flossmoor Road. Dress accordingly and meet us at the Village of Flossmoor Village Hall parking lot to get instructions and receive your assignment. Please sign up online. Thank you!

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Sign up for the Village of Park Forest’s Community Clean Up: https://villageofparkforest.com/913/Community-Clean-Up

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Hidden Meadows Driving Range
23521 Crawford Avenue
Flossmoor, IL 

Please dress for the weather and bring gloves, if you have them. Be sure to sign up online.

Thank you for keeping the community beautiful!

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Chicago Southland Annual Community Clean Up is sponsored by the Chicago Southland Green Committee: Flossmoor Public Library, Flossmoor School District 161, H-F High School, H-F Park District, Homewood Public Library, Homewood School District 153, Homewood Disposal, Village of Flossmoor, Village of Homewood, Village of Park Forest, and Village of Olympia Fields. Contact your local organization or visit them on the web for more information.