On May 11, 2021, the Park District of Franklin Park installed five rooftop beehives at the Centre at North Park. This effort is to help preserve the bee population in a controlled environment. The Park District aims to help all pollinators and past efforts include planting milkweed throughout the district and providing milkweed seeds to residents.
To increase pollinator efforts, the Park District established Project Aurelius. The team members serving on the project are committed to protecting pollinators and educating the community on the importance of these species. Plans for Project Aurelius include educational programs and community partnerships.
Project Aurelius understands the importance of community education and plans to include children in efforts. Recently, the Park District was awarded an Earth Day in the Parks Grant from Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The grant will be used to establish a Pollinator Garden at Discovery Park. The garden will have sections for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and more.
Stay tuned for more from Project Aurelius.