ParkTalk Blog – Restoring Natural Areas and Public Open Space

Friday, August 29, 2025

The Naperville Park District manages more than 2,400 acres of park land, including both natural and improved areas with wide-ranging amenities. In order to provide the highest quality park experiences for residents and visitors, the District relies on its master, capital, and operational plans to ensure its parks and facilities are maintained at a high standard. While athletic fields/courts and playground renovations are highly visible to the community, restoring natural areas is also very important. Restoration projects improve our ecosystem by providing a healthy habitat for local wildlife and species to thrive. The Park District plans and completes various restoration projects to restore the health of natural areas including shorelines, ponds and streams, woodlands, prairies and park meadows. While the benefits aren’t necessarily immediately visible, these projects improve the quality of our parks and the surrounding environment.

What are Restoration Projects?

Each restoration project promotes natural resource management which is a key component of Environmental Education, Stewardship, and Sustainability – one of the Park District’s core values. Even though project parameters differ, they almost always require the removal of invasive species. Invasive species in the park setting are plants that pose a significant threat to a natural area and can permanently and negatively alter habitats. Restoration efforts also often utilize volunteers – area residents and businesses – that offer their time to assist the Park District in removing invasive species across these different types of natural area projects. 

Prairie Restoration

The prairie restoration process typically begins with the removal of invasive species deemed inappropriate for an Illinois prairie. Next, native grasses and flowers are planted to increase the natural area’s biodiversity. Finally, the Park District implements a long-term management plan that controls invasive plant regrowth including periodic prescribed burns.

When settlers first came to this part of Illinois, approximately 22 million acres of prairie existed. Today, less than 1% of original Illinois prairies remain. Restoring and preserving these unique ecosystems is important to preserving the habitat of the region. Prairies also benefit the environment by providing a habitat for native wildlife, and improving soil, air and water quality. Additionally, the roots of native plants grow deeper than turf grass, enabling the soil to absorb and filter stormwater more efficiently.

Shoreline Restoration

Shoreline restoration projects improve pond, stream and river shorelines that were damaged over time by erosion and human activity. In addition to removing invasive plants along the shoreline, some projects include the removal of accumulated sediment and debris at the bottom of the pond in a process known as dredging. Once the pond is dredged and invasive plants are removed, the shoreline slopes are stabilized and native vegetation is installed to act as a natural barrier to prevent fertilizers and pesticides, and other pollutants from entering the water.

Stabilized shorelines are not only vital to the environment but to people as well. When shorelines erode and fill the pond with debris and sediment, the amount of water the stormwater ponds can hold is reduced. This increases the risk of those waterbodies flooding surrounding areas. Similar to prairies and woodlands, shoreline restorations provide a healthy habitat for riparian animals and insects such as turtles, lizards and dragonflies.

Wetland Restoration

Shoreline and wetland restoration go hand-in-hand. Wetland plants have a complex root system which filter and neutralize pollutants before run-off water enters the waterbodies. Once invasive species are removed, coir rolls, erosion control blankets and boulders are installed along the shoreline. Plant species such as Blue Flag Iris, River Bulrush and Blue Lobelia prevent riverbanks from eroding away. Restored wetlands keep rivers clean, both in the park they reside in and downstream. Additionally, the extensive root system of diverse, native plants can hold the soil even after a massive flood.

Woodland Restoration

Many woodlands today are affected by invasive species, changes in temperature, and various diseases and pests. Similar to other restoration projects, invasive species are removed at the beginning of the woodland restoration project. Removing invasive trees and other plants allows native vegetation to grow and thrive. 

The Park District oversees many woodland areas, from small clusters of trees in a park to expansive wooded areas stretching over 200 acres. When Naperville’s first settlers came to the area in the 1830s, the vast forests were a great source of building materials and fuel. Today, those trees provide shade for visitors to parks and trails. Healthy and diverse woodlands provide a habitat for birds, animals and insects, as well as provide oxygen and water to the air and increase soil fertility. 

Completed Restoration Projects

Pioneer Park

Thriving natural prairie at Pioneer Park.

The prairie restoration at Pioneer Park thrives every year, and Park District staff consider it to be one of the District’s best restorations. This project began in 2008 when staff and volunteers removed invasive species from the area and seeded the prairie with native grasses and flowers. Native animals, insects and birds populate the area and it is noticeable as you walk the mown trail through the area. The long-term management plan for this prairie includes periodic prescribed burning and removal of invasive plants.

Sportsman’s Park

Native plants in bloom at Sportsman’s Park.

In 2013, a site remediation project began at Sportsman’s Park to remove lead from the soil. During this project, 12 to 36 inches of soil inside the fence line was excavated and replaced with new soil. Afterwards, new trees, shrubs, and native vegetation were planted and have been maintained over time. Today, it has become a thriving prairie. The prairie is east of the Sportsman’s Park trapshooting range, separated by a small waterbody used for fishing. Visitors exploring Sportsman’s Park on the gravel trail will be delighted by the native wildlife that benefit from the prairie, including butterflies, bees, birds and more.

Brook Crossings

Restored shoreline along the stream leading into the pond at Brook Crossings.

The shoreline restoration project at Brook Crossings began in 2021 with the goal of improving overall pond health by stabilizing the shoreline to stop erosion and removing the sediment deposits that accumulated at the bottom of the basin. This work improved the function of the stormwater pond and improved the water quality and habitat of the stream. The healthy shoreline at Brook Crossings has attracted native pollinators, riparian animals, and any resident looking for a relaxing fishing spot.

Naperville Park District conducts a variety of restoration projects every year to keep natural areas across the community healthy. To learn more about ongoing projects, visit www.napervilleparks.org/restorationprojects.