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Featuring Knoch Knolls Park, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots and other District-wide Environmental Happenings

in the NEWS

(check out our Nature Blog here)

(check out nature related NPD Podcasts here)

(check out the Community Garden Plots webpage here)

(check out the 95th Street Farmers Market webpage here)

2021

Winter Sowing (Get your seeds started!) Feb. 9

Naperville Park District receives Monarch Award for community engagement on Jan. 2019

2020

Over 7 tons of pumpkins composted at Garden Plots on Nov. 7

Garden Plot Gleaning reaps 760 pounds of produce for Loaves & Fishes on Oct 13

Gardening Season ends Oct 12; Pumpkin Smash scheduled for Nov. 7

95th Street Farmers Market ends season Sept 24

Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz taking place Sept 12-20

DuPage River Trail improvements begin August 31

Phase 4 Reopening Plan

Disc Golf Course re-opens at Knoch Knolls Park on Tuesday June 2

95th Street Farmers Market to open June 4

Park District Playgrounds Remain Closed per the Govenor's Phase 3 Restore Illinois guidelines

Park District Tulip Bulb Sale to take place June 1-3

Summer Program Guide available online with registration starting June 1

East and West Branches of the Dupage River closed due to Flooding after heavy rains

Early May Opening Tentatively Planned for Ron Ory Community Garden Plots Garden Plot opening and registration information

Park District to open some park restrooms this weekend

Spring Controlled Burns Naperville Park District to conduct controlled burns in area parks including Knoch Knolls Park

Playgrounds Closed All Naperville Park District playgrounds are currently closed per state of Illinois orders

This Spring, Connect with Nature Park Talk Blog encouraging responsible outdoor activity

Celebrating Earth Week Naperville in 2020

Spring Events Rescheduled or Cancelled Naperville Park District Event Rescheduling and Cancellations due to COVID-19

Practice Social Distancing in the Parks Reminder from the Naperville Park District to Practice Social Distancing Outdoors

Two Free Workshops offered in March Knoch Knolls Nature Center to Host Two Free Landscaping Workshops

The Winners are Here! 2020’s Top 10 Best Nature Centers in Chicagoland Knoch Knolls Nature Center voted one of the top 10 best nature centers two years in a row

Great Backyard Bird Count Knoch Knolls Nature Center's annual event is for the birds and families too

Knoch Knolls Nature Center to Host Backyard Bird Count Feb. 17 Naperville Patch article

2019

Nature Center Closed over the Holidays Naperville Park District Hours of Operation for the 2019-2020 Winter Holidays

Naperville Park District partners with Elgin Recycling to recycle hoilday lights Knoch Knolls Nature Center is one of the drop off locations

Pumpkin Smash Results Learn how many pounds of pumpkins were diverted from landfills at this year's pumpkin smash

Green Your Halloween Smash (and compost) Your Pumpkin at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots Nov 2

Naperville Park District Hosts Pumpkin Smash NCTV17 video

Loaves & Fishes receiver 500 lbs of donated produce Ron Ory Community Garden Plot Gleaning Yields Donations for Loaves & Fishes

Volunteers Plant a Pollinator Garden Park Talk Blog highlights pollinator gardens installed at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots

Fall Family Campout Park District Offers New and Traditional Fall Events for All Ages

Knoch Park Dandelion Pull Help remove dandelions at Knoch Park by hand

Spring Bulb Tulip Sale Naperville Park District's 2019 Spring Tulip Bulb Sale Set for May 17

Use Caution during Heavy Rains & Flooding Residents Reminded to Use Caution during Heavy Rains, Flooding conditions

Let's Go Fishing Park Talk Blog answers your questions about fishing in Naperville parks

Earth Day Fair and Earth Week Events Get Earth Day Fair and Earth Week Event updates

Celebrate Earth Week Naperville 2019 Postively Naperville article

Seasonal Controlled Burns Naperville Park District to Conduct Seasonal Controlled Burns at area parks including Knoch Knolls Park

Welcome Spring with Naperville Park District Special Events and Programs Includes spring nature programs

Naperville Park District receives DuPage County Water Quality Grant Grant awarded to support West Branch Dupage River shoreline stabilzation at Lincoln Greenway

Park Meadow Project improves stewardship of park land Park Meadow Project to Improve Small Drainage Areas in Nine Parks

Great Backyard Bird Count Knoch Knolls Nature Center's annual event is for the birds and families too

Severe Weather Cancellations Park District Closings Due to Severe Weather include the Knoch Knolls Nature Center

Online Resources for Teachers Knoch Knolls Nature Center Announces New Resouces for Teachers

2018

Nature Center Closed over the Holidays Naperville Park District Hours of Operation for the 2018-2019 Winter Holidays

Naperville Park District partners with Elgin Recycling to recycle hoilday lights Knoch Knolls Nature Center is one of the drop off locations

Pumpkin Smash a Success Results from the 2018 Pumpkin Smash composting event

Naperville Residents squish the squash at the annual park district Pumpkin Smash Chicago Tribune/Sun Times article

Green Your Halloween Naperville Pumpkin Smash Nov. 3 at Ron Ory Community Garden Plots

Over 1000 lbs of produce donated to Loaves & Fishes Ron Ory Community Garden Plot Gleaning Yields Bounty for Loaves & Fishes

Pumpkin Smash Pumpkin Smash Event to Compost Jack-O-Lanterns Nov. 3

Creepy Critters at Knoch Knolls NCTV17 video about the nature center's Creepy Critter Day

4th Annual Creepy Critters Day at Knoch Knolls Nature Center Park District Offeres Kids' Actvities for School Days Off

Pollinator Gardens Planted at Ron Ory Community Garden Plots Volunteers to Plant Pollinator Garden On Sept. 29

Health and the Park District Mission Naperville Park District Podcast

Farmers Market Opens in South Naperville in collaboration with the Naperville Public Library, the Park District opens a new farmers market at the 95th Street library

Adult and Family Hikes with a Naturalist 2018 Naperville Park District Fall Fun Preview

Prescription for Nature Festival Rx for Nature Festival Set for Sunday, August 12

Annual Naperville Flower & Garden Show View or participate in the annual Naperville Flower and Garden Show

New 311 Parks Service Naperville Parks Offers New 311 Parks Service for Residents to Report Maintenanace Needs

Annual Tulip Bulb Sale Spring Tulip Bulb Sale Set for May 17

Knoch Park Dandelion Pull Help remove dandelions at Knoch Park by hand

Earth Day Fair and Earth Week Naperville Naperville Patch article

Naperville Park District earns Ecology Flag, Water Quality Flag and Earth Flag DuPage County and SCARCE Recognize Naperville Park District for Sustainability

A Visit to Knoch Knolls Nature Center in Naperville Review of the Knoch Knolls Nature Center

Spring Controlled Burns Naperville Park District to conduct controlled burns in area parks including Knoch Knolls Park

Middle School Students Study Soil District 203 Middle School Students Present Soil Research to Naperville Officials

Great Backyard Bird Count Knoch Knolls Nature Center's annual event is for the birds and families too

Naperville Plays Knoch Knolls Nature Center joins three local organizations to quadruple everyone's fun

2017

Holiday Lights to be recycled at 3 locations including Knoch Knolls Nature Center

Expanding Use of Organic Products Across Park System 8 Parks to be Maintained Naturally and Monitored for two years

Smashing Pumpkins brings nutrients to Napervlle community garden Chicago Tribune/Naperville Sun article
Creepy Critters Day Aims to Dispel Myths Daily Herald article about Knoch Knolls Nature Center's annual fall event

Nature Centers in Chicagoland: Bring the Outdoors Inside Review of the Knoch Knolls Nature Center and others

Celebrating Monarchs at Knoch Knolls Park Park Talk Blog about the Sept 17 Monarch Festival

Protect and Enjoy River Wildlife Why not to feed wild animals like ducks

Naperville Earth Week features activities from Earth Day through Arbor Day Positively Naperville article

Earth Week Blossoms in Naperville Along with local environmental agencies, the Naperville Park District lauches Earth Week Naperville

Knoch Knolls Nature Center Recovers from Flooding NCTV-17 video

Flooding closes the nature center for two months as it ungoes repairs Positively Naperville article

Knoch Knolls Nature Center Closed due to Flooding Chicago Tribune/Naperville Sun article

Will County Forest Preserve District presents award to Naperville Park District Daily Herald article

Park District Receives Illinois Sustainability Award Naperville Park District Receives 2017 Illinois Sustainability Award

Hidden Measures: A behind-the-scenes look at the Park District's new green initiatives Park Talk Blog features Fort Hill Activity Center, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots and other district projects

Naperville Park District Protects Monarchs Jan. 12

2016

Knoch Knolls Park Education Artwork Wins International Award from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals

Knoch Knolls Nature Center to Received Conservation Award The Conservation Foundation certifies the restored natural areas around the nature center

In Naperville, Art becomes an Advocate for Trees and Forests WBEZ interview features Jenny Kendler's about her "See the Forest (For the Trees)" art exhibit at Knoch Knolls Park

Earthy art installation offers interactive experience in Naperville Chicago Tribure article about installation of the "See the Forest (For the Trees)" outdoor exhibit at Knoch Knolls Park

Art taking Root at Knoch Knolls NCTV-17 video about "See the Forest (For the Trees)" exhibit

Trees, roots become art in Naperville Daily Herald article about art installation at Knoch Knolls park

Nature Art Week NCTV video

DuPage River Trail Extension Opens Oct 23 Asphalt path extends from Knoch Knolls park to the 95th Street bridge

DuPage River Trail Extension Groundbreaking at Knoch Knolls Park Naperville Patch article

Naperville extension of DuPage River Trail planned Chicago Tribune/Naperville SunTimes article

50th Anniversary Story of Trails, Nature and Collaboration creation of the DuPage River Trail

Plan your summer bucket list now before summer's over Chicago Tribune article featuring Knoch Knolls Nature Center

Fishing in Naperville NCTV-17 video about fishing in Naperville

Camping close to Naperville NCTV-17 video about the Blackwell Forest Preserve campground in Warrenville

Naperville Garden Plots NCTV-17 video

Naperville Garden Plot Registration NCTV-17 video

7 Ways You Can be Greener in 2016 Park Talk Blog Earth Day tips

2015

Knoch Knolls Nature Center Wins Fourth Award in 2015 Patch article about the Excellence in Engineering Award from the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

Best Project Award: Knoch Knolls Nature Center Engineering News Report (ENR) Midwest article

Environmental Showcase Fifth Grade Students tackle Environmental Issues

Knoch Knolls Nature Center wins Design Excellence Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chicago

Garden Plots Opening Day NCTV-17 video

Ron Ory Garden Plots NCTV17 video Community Garden Plots get a new name

Knoch Knolls Nature Center receives State Award as Outstanding Facility Naperville Patch article highlighting the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association award