Posted on October 6, 2025
Over the past four budget cycles, the Carol Stream Park District has steadily invested in restoring and maintaining our native landscapes. This commitment—supported by both dedicated funding and in-house staff labor—has driven measurable improvements across parks and natural areas.
Our contractors and staff have made significant progress in controlling invasive species such as Phragmites, Ragweed, Cattails, and woody growth. Native grasses and wildflowers, including Goldenrod and Milkweed, are re-establishing, creating healthier ecosystems and more vibrant landscapes for residents to enjoy.
Site reports show visible progress: bio-swales at Carolshire Park are recovering, Veterans Park water edges are being stabilized, and woodlands at Slepicka Park and Jirsa Park are thriving after targeted treatments. At Evergreen Park and McCaslin/Coyote Crossing, controlled management has allowed dense native growth to reclaim areas once dominated by invasive plants.
The work is ongoing, but the results demonstrate the long-term value of consistent investment in native habitat. These restored spaces not only enhance aesthetics but also support biodiversity and stormwater management throughout the community.
Below are pictures from our hired contractor, Bedrock Earthscapes, showing some of the work we are doing at each site.
Carolshire Park
Carolshire bio swale is looking better at the west end, still mostly weeds at the east end. Treated for weeds.
Veterans Park
Veterans bridge water edges are showing some kill from previous visits. Spot treated again.
FVRC
Fountain View Recreation Center (around building) is in great shape with less Canada Thistle and more color near the employee parking end than last year.
Hampe Park
Hampe Park has come along; not so much tall Ragweed and more Goldenrod. Treated woody plants and tall Ragweed.
Jan Smith
Jan Smith lowland has multiple types of native grass, some Milkweed. Woodies mostly eliminated.
Bierman & Kent Parks
Pond perimeters have random mixes of plants somewhat weedy and woody. Recent woody cutting on the east side looked great. The entire perimeter was treated for woodies, Phragmites, Cattails, and other broadleaf weeds.
Slepicka Park
Slepicka Park has a nice looking woodland mix showing off. The outer sections along West Lies Road is cleaning up of woodies turning grass. Tall Ragweed and Phragmites were main treatment targets. The basin and open woodland patch of Phragmites are now controlled/gone.
Jirsa Park
Treated for Cattails and Phragmites around the open water. We were able to kill back to the water in several areas. Probably one more year to get all the way around killed off. Woody plants around the outer perimeter were also treated. Jirsa Park native area has cleaned up of some Teasel. Fall grasses and boneset are present.
Tedrahn Park
Tedrahn Pond perimeter was a random mix of Goldenrods and some Milkweed. Ragweed and Cattails treated.
Evergreen Park
The low north wetland is looking much better than two years ago. One small patch of remaining Willows was treated. Good grasses and forbs have filled in on all banks where it’s still being mowed. The entire perimeter was treated for broadleaf weeds. The west bank of the north pond was also treated for reed Canary Grass, Cattails, and woodies.
The southwest side of the south pond is still being mowed (left photo). In the right photo, you can see the difference between the west bank being mowed and how the east banks have recovered into dense native growth over the last few years with ongoing care and maintenance.
Fair Oaks West Basin
Tall and overtaking weeds were treated. If anything, Goldenrod will take over. Dumping was spotted along NW edge of basin.
McCaslin/Coyote Crossing
McCaslin Park basin is cleaning up drastically this season. Phragmites and Cattails along the water edge were treated, as well as woody plants and broadleaf weeds on the banks. The swale in front of Coyote Crossing was treated for buckthorn, Reed Canary Grass, Cattails, and Phragmites. We treated the west corner of the entry drive along North Avenue for Phragmites too.
Bark Park Garage
Bark Park is a diverse mix of good looking natives. The basin along the garage had remaining Cattails treated. The small native patch by the building parking lot has recovered well. Some woodies and Teasel were treated.
