Project Aurelius

Project Aurelius

“What’s good for the hive is good for the bee.” – Marcus Aurelius, 121-180 AD

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. This past summer, the Park District was awarded an Earth Day in the Parks Grant from Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The grant was used to establish a Pollinator Garden at Discovery Park, which Discovery Day Campers assisted with. The garden has sections for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and more. We are aiming to have pollinator-friendly areas in all 17 parks.

After School Program participants offered a helping hand by jarring honey from our summer harvest. Students learned about the importance of bees and received a honey jar to take home. The honey that After School Program jarred will be for sale at the Community Center soon. All proceeds will go toward the Parks Foundation of Franklin Park which provides financial assistance for recreational opportunities for in-district residents who are in financial hardship.