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An Ordinance amending Chapter 22 (“Streets and Sidewalks”) of the Oak Park Municipal Code by Adopting Regulations for Maintenance of Parkways Fronting or Abutting Parcels or Lots
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Introduction
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The attached ordinance adopts regulations for the maintenance of parkways fronting or abutting parcels or lots. The intention of this ordinance is to allow for the planting of gardens in the parkway for the purpose of increasing native plant species while addressing the needs and concerns of users of the streets, sidewalks, and parkways.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Board adopt the proposed ordinance.
Prior Board Action
The Board of Trustees received a draft of the attached ordinance and a presentation during a study session at the March 11, 2025, Board meeting. The ordinance here reflects comments received during that meeting, most notably:
• Revising the definition of Cultivated Garden to remove references to weeds and deleting the Weeds definition.
• Removing the 30" restriction in clear sight areas and instead referencing the section of Chapter 25 which regulates clear sight areas.
Background
The 2024-2025 Board Goals include goal 5.1.h “Advance Village policies and programs to support the transition of the Village’s and community’s land to green infrastructure.” The CROP plan includes the goal “Prioritize Native Species Over Non-Native Species” with action NN01 “Adopt an ordinance allowing residents to garden on the parkways they maintain with sustainable and native plantings.”
The intention of the attached ordinance is to clarify the maintenance responsibilities of the Village parkways and to allow property owners to plant gardens in the parkways that are adjacent to their properties. The Village has the intent to promote, in particular, the planting of native gardens and will provide education, outreach, resources, and incentives to support native gardening in the parkways.
The Environment & Energy Commission (EEC) has included a parkway ordinance in their workplan since 2023. Considerable stakeholder engagement around the ordinance has been completed including working with impacted Village departments, meeting with Commissions, and conducting community surveys. The attached ordinance and the planned outreach and programming associated with the ordinance incorporate the comments and concerns of those stakeholders.
Timing Considerations
The West Cook Wild Ones spring plant sale pre-orders take place from March through May and residents will begin planting gardens in July. For the ordinance to influence parkway gardens in 2025 it should be adopted before the planting season begins.
Budget Impact
The Office of Sustainability and Resilience budgeted for outreach and educational expenditures related to this item in GL# 2310.41020.101.570859.0000.
Staffing Impact
Staff in the Office of Sustainability and Resilience will dedicate time to developing and disseminating education and outreach related to this item.
DEI Impact
The attached ordinance and planned related education and outreach have taken into consideration concerns expressed by the Disability Access Commission (DAC) in September 2023.
Community Input
The attached ordinance draft has incorporated significant community input.
The Office of Sustainability and Resilience started seeking stakeholder input on a potential parkway planting ordinance in 2022, seeking input from regional and local stakeholders.
Between July 13 and September 19, 2023, residents were able to provide input through Engage Oak Park. The survey received 314 responses.
The Environment and Energy Commission (EEC) discussed the Parkway Ordinance on August 1, 2023, and November 7, 2023. On March 4, 2025, the EEC voted to recommend the Board approve the attached ordinance.
The Disability Access Commission (DAC) discussed the ordinance in September 2023. Comments were incorporated into future drafts.
The Office of Sustainability and Resilience is working with West Cook Wild Ones to provide education and information to help residents design and maintain native gardens in the parkway. There is a workshop and information session scheduled for March 16 at the Main Library. OSR is also working with West Cook Wild Ones to support and promote their spring plant sale.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board adopt the attached ordinance.
Advantages:
• Adopting the ordinance achieves a CROP plan action.
• Adopting the ordinance provides clear guidelines to residents who wish to plant gardens in the parkways adjacent to their properties and reduces staff time needed to approve parkway planting plans.
• Adopting the ordinance provides clear guidelines to the Village to address safety or access concerns related to the maintenance of the parkways.
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to adopting the ordinance.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
Do not adopt the ordinance.
Advantages:
• There is no advantage to not adopting the ordinance.
Disadvantages:
• Residents will continue to not have clear guidance on gardening in their adjacent parkways, and staff time will continue to be needed to review parkway landscaping plans prior to installation.
• Village staff will continue to lack clear guidelines to address safety or access concerns related to the maintenance of the parkways.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Lindsey Roland Nieratka, Chief Sustainability Officer
Reviewed By: Ahmad Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Parkway Ordinance_FINAL 3.12.2025