News - Details

Illinois American Water environmental grant will help improve, expand prairie at Meadowbrook Park

May 26, 2020 11:08 AM
DouglasCreek
© 

Urbana Park District will use a $4,000 Illinois American Water environmental grant to support the Meadowbrook Park Habitat Enhancement and Floodplain Prairie Expansion Project.

Illinois American Water granted over $25,000 to eight watershed initiatives across the in the state through its environmental grant program.

“We are grateful to receive this grant from Illinois American Water,” said Kara Dudek, Park Planner. “We will use the funds to expand the environmental benefits Meadowbrook Park’s prairie, in an open area just south of the confluence of Douglas and McCullough creeks, near Race Street.”

Illinois American Water Eastern Division Senior Manager Brian Wiemers, said of the environmental grant program, “This collaboration allows us to partner with our local environmental heroes on innovative projects to improve watersheds, parks, prairies and environmental education. We are proud to contribute to the Urbana Park District’s efforts.”

The grant will allow the park district to plant native prairie seed and expand the established prairie by just over one acre.

Urbana Park District will start planting prairie seeds in summer 2020 once the low lying area has less chance of being flooded.

“The new prairie growth will help expand habitat opportunities, filter storm water runoff and continue to improve the water quality in McCullough Creek,” Dudek added.

At 130-acres, Meadowbrook Park is one of largest urban parks in Champaign County.

“We hope people take the time to go to the park, walk and enjoy nature up close,” Dudek concluded.

DouglasCreek

Back to news