Chicago - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, in partnership with the Chicago Park District, is currently implementing an ecosystem restoration project at Horner Park. Heavy construction was completed in fall of 2014. Additional planting, invasive species control and monitoring activities will continue through the fall of 2018. There will be ongoing herbicide application through the life of the project during the growing season. The next scheduled herbicide application will be one day during the period April 13-14, 2015. The exact day will depend on the weather.
Herbicides will only be applied by individuals licensed by the State of Illinois to apply pesticides, in accordance with EPA regulations. Herbicide use is necessary for the project but will be limited only to the control of plant species that are known to harm newly-establishing and existing native plant communities. Herbicides will be selectively applied by hand through backpack sprayers or hand-held spray bottles, minimizing impact to non-target plant species. All herbicides used will be applied in full compliance with recommended methods on the EPA-approved label instructions for that particular herbicide.
If you want to be notified of schedule herbicide applications, please submit your email address to hornerparkinfo@usace.army.mil. Please note: Schedules may change due to weather. Herbicide will be applied periodically from April to October each year until 2018. For additional project information, visit: http://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorksProjects/HornerPark.aspx.
Project background:
Horner Park lies along the North Branch of the Chicago River in the City of Chicago, Ill. The restoration area is bound by Montrose Avenue to the North, the Chicago River to the East, Irving Park Road to the South, and extends westward into Horner Park, stopping short of the existing athletic fields. The project site is 14 acres, which includes approximately 2,600 feet of the riverbank.
The goal of this project is to restore the natural features of the North Branch Chicago River at Horner Park and its riparian zone within the constraints of the current system. The objectives of this project include: 1) restore connectivity of riparian area with the North Branch of the Chicago River, 2) restore a diverse native plant community, 3) provide habitat for resident and migratory wildlife species, 4) reduce riverbank erosion, 5) remove invasive and harmful plant species, and 6) provide native plant seed source for other natural areas along the river.
Release no. 15-003