On Thursday, Oct. 29, the Village of Villa Park and the Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department held a ceremony to reveal the name of the village’s designated natural park along Julia Drive, just west of Villa Avenue.
Villa Park residents were asked to email the Garden Village Commission with name ideas for the new park. The commission then compiled a short list of the most popular suggestions and invited residents to vote for their favorite name. The park’s new sign, located north of Julia Drive near Myrtle Avenue, was uncovered during the afternoon ceremony to indicate the residents’ choice: Sugar Creek Park.
Attendees included Villa Park Village President Kevin Patrick, Village Manager Michael Rivas, State Representative Diane Blair-Sherlock, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton, members of the Garden Village Commission, and representatives from the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.
“So, what makes something a natural park?” stated the Village of Villa Park in a recent announcement. “A natural park is an outdoor space designed to protect and showcase nature, rather than fill it with buildings, playground equipment, or paving. They allow native plants and wildlife to take the lead. It’s a place to slow down, take a walk, and notice the natural world right in our own neighborhood.”
The village’s announcement also noted that natural parks provide shade and cleaner air, support pollinators and other wildlife that need native habitat to thrive, and offer a living classroom for residents of all ages.
According to the village, future possibilities for Sugar Creek Park include the planting of native flowers, grasses, and trees; the addition of habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife; and educational signs about local wildlife and ecosystems.
Residents with ideas about other possibilities for Sugar Creek Park are invited to email the Garden Village Commission at gardenvillage@invillapark.com.
“We’re excited to see the commission continue its work developing this space, and for residents to play a role with their ideas,” noted the village in its announcement.
