Waukegan, Illinois (August 1, 2024) – The Waukegan Park District is using a sediment removal technique at the Bevier Pond, located at 2255 W. York House Road in Bevier Park. Sediment accumulation in the pond has led to a decrease in water depth, poor water quality, and disrupted habitats. To address this, the sediment will be vacuumed by scuba divers and pumped underneath McAree Road into Henry Pfau Callahan Park, located 2785 W. York House Road, where it will be stored and dried to be used as topsoil for a future pollinator prairie.
An educational open house will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024 from 5pm to 6:30pm at Nature’s Classroom in Bevier Park. Staff will be sharing more information about the project.
The project is planned for completion in the fall of 2024. In the interest of minimizing disruptions to park users, Bevier Park and Henry Pfau Callahan Park will remain open during the project. Future projects will include bank stabilization for the pond and northern stream to limit future erosion and sediment accumulation.
Using the sediment from the pond, a pollinator prairie will be established at Henry Pfau Callahan Park. This will create a habitat consisting of native plants that provide pollinators, including bees, birds, and butterflies, sources of food, shelter, and safe areas for breeding.
Construction at the property where Bevier Park is located began in 1969 with the development of a pond, continued in 1971 with improvements, with completion in 1973. Today, Bevier Park consists of 30.4 acres with a Nature’s Classroom, Henry Pfau Callahan Disc Golf Course, Bevier Pond, and other amenities. Bevier Park is named after Bevier Butts, who served as the City of Waukegan Recreation Department Director.
In 2023, Bevier Park was renovated with a nature-themed playground, discovery dock, and kayak launch. The baseball field was enhanced with new backstops, bleachers, and dugouts; the basketball courts were resurfaced and the disc golf course was improved.
As the project progresses, more information will be available at waukeganparks.org/projects.
About the Waukegan Park District
Established on December 26, 1916, the Waukegan Park District (WPD) has 53 properties and more than 742 acres of land, including the 18-hole Bonnie Brook and 9-hole Greenshire Golf Courses. Properties are managed to the highest environmental and conservation standards. Facilities operated by the WPD include the Field House Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center, Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark, Waukegan Skate Park, BMX Track, SplashZone, Percussion Playground, recreational centers, disc golf course, dog exercise area and agility course, outdoor sports fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, splash pads, and sports courts including basketball, tennis and pickleball. A full range of programs and services are offered year-round for all ages, from infants to seniors, as well as special need populations. Healthy lifestyles, wellness initiatives, and a connection with the outdoors and nature are integrated throughout programs, services, and special events. Arts and cultural activities are provided by the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus, and the Waukegan History Museum. We offer something for everyone!
A member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), and the Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA), the WPD employs 73 full-time and 219 part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees and is recognized by the IPRA as an Exceptional Workplace.
Nationally accredited by the NRPA Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and State accredited through the IAPD Distinguished Agency Accreditation, the WPD has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Triple Crown Award for receiving the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The WPD was awarded the NRPA National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2013, and was named a Gold Medal Finalist in 2012, 2013, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Media Contact
Josue Pasillas, MPA
Communications Supervisor
Waukegan Park District
(847) 360-4789
jpasillas@waukeganparks.org
waukeganparks.org