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 Yard waste collection begins next week
Weekly collection of yard waste and compost returns April 1 for residential properties served by the Village’s refuse hauler and continues through the last full week in November. Bundled brush no larger than two feet in diameter and four feet in length and yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, shrubs and vines will be picked up on regular refuse collection days. A green yard waste sticker must be attached to each brush bundle, 32-gallon paper bag and rigid container. Stickers are $3.25 each and available at most grocery stores, as well as Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Residents are urged to look for alternatives to bagging yard waste such as mulching mowers, leaf shredders or composting. Participants in the Village's compost program can discard yard waste in their gray cart without using a green sticker. For more information about yard waste collection, visit www.oak-park.us/refuse.
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Volunteers needed for Earth Month clean-up event
In celebration of Earth Month and National Volunteer Week during the month of April, the Village and the Village Clerk’s Office are organizing the 2024 Oak Park Spring Neighborhood Cleanup on Saturday, April 13. This family-friendly event will begin with a complimentary light breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Village Hall. From 9 a.m. until approximately 1 p.m., volunteers, including Oak Park elected officials and staff, will take the streets for a coordinated effort to clean up the community. The Village will be providing heavy duty trash bags, coated safety gloves, brooms, shovels, litter pickers, etc. for the event. Community members are asked to sign up in advance – click here to register. More information is on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/springcleanup24.
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Oak Park Holi celebration planned for April 14
The entire community is invited to participate in Oak Park’s celebration of Holi – the Hindu festival of colors. The free outdoor event will take place from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 14 on the south lawn at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Holi is a vibrant and joyous Hindu festival that originated in India and Nepal, but is now celebrated by people all around the world. Holi falls on the last full moon day of winter according to the luni-solar calendar – which was March 25 this year. For more information about the Village’s Holi celebration, which is being organized in partnership with volunteers from a local South Asian community group, visit www.oak-park.us/holi.
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The Oak Park Public Health Department is offering free MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccines to anyone who is unvaccinated, regardless of insurance status. Vaccines will be administered at Village Hall, 123 Madison St., on Tuesday, April 2, and are available by appointment only between 9.a. and 4 p.m. Click here to reserve your spot. Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant in the next 30 days should NOT receive the MMR vaccine at this time. If you or anyone in your household feels they are unprotected against measles, or have other questions regarding measles, please contact the Oak Park Public Health Department at health@oak-park.us or 708-358-5485.
In addition to measles vaccines, the Public Health Department has a limited supply of the COVID-19 booster for people who are 65 and older or who have suppressed immune systems. The CDC recommends these populations receive an additional dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine this spring. If you are a member of these populations and it has been at least four months since your most recent COVID-19 vaccine, click here to reserve a spot for April 2.
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Native plants available at discount for Oak Park residents
The Village is partnering with Wild Ones of West Cook to subsidize the purchase of monarch garden and rain garden kits for Oak Park residents. Kits can be ordered online through the West Cook Native Plant Sale. Garden kits are $11.25 for residents, which is a 75% discount from the regular kit price of $45. Enter the discount code MONARCHS at the time of purchase. The discount for Oak Park residents applies towards the purchase of one monarch kit or one rain garden kit. Orders can be picked up June 6-8 at Miller Meadow, 2199 S. 1st Ave. in Maywood. The initiative is tied to the Village’s participation in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, which includes a commitment to create habitat for monarch butterflies in the community. The Climate Ready Oak Park plan also calls for the transition of 30% of Oak Park’s land to native species and green infrastructure. More information is at www.oak-park.us/monarchpledge.
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Incorporating solar panels in historic districts
The Village and its Historic Preservation Commission support sustainable building practices like reusing historic buildings and materials as well as the use of alternative energy sources. However, officials say the incorporation of solar panels in historic districts should be done with care to preserve the historic character for which Oak Park’s historic districts are known. A list of things to consider when looking at adding solar panels in a historic district is available on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/hpsolar.
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