Village of Brookfield Beautification Committee 2009 Adopt-A-Spot Kick-Off Meeting

1. Village of BrookfieldBeautification Committee2009 Adopt-A-Spot Kick-Off Meeting March 21, 20099:30am-11:00amHollywood Community House

2. Welcome Volunteers! • Introductions: current and new volunteers • Why is Adopt-A-Spot important to you? • Program Overview and Background • Changes to the program for 2009 • Renewals • Your Feedback and Ideas for the future • Other Beautification Committee Projects • Project N.I.C.E. • Plant Swap • Garden Contest • Make A Difference Day • Community Garden

3. Beautification Committee • Introductions • Nicole Gilhooley (Chairperson) • Jane Huber • Julie Janetopoulos • Carol McBride-Leslie • Brian Oberhauser • Stella Quirk (Guerrero) • Doug Taylor • Cathy Edwards (Trustee liaison) • Al Kitzer (Department of Public Works liaison)

4. Why is Adopt-A-Spot and the location you adopted important to you? Barb & Michael Tiffin are nature lovers. We live just around the corner from the Lincoln Ave. Islands. Those trees were in very bad shape. The Island was always full of down branches. There was a need for help, so we offered. We love the forests and traveling to new areas, but home is home. Everyone should to do a little something to keep our planet clean and beautiful. Our hometown is a natural place to continue to do our share.

5. Why is Adopt-A-Spot and the location you adopted important to you? From The Kitzer Family: Our adopt-a-spot is a little seating area in front of the train station. Even though it is a small area it is in a high profile section of town which really makes us want to work hard at keeping it looking nice. That is what makes adopt-a-spot such a great program because every little bit makes a difference in the overall look of the town. From Mike McNeily with Edward Jones: Its a great way to stay involved, it’s easy and if everyone pitches in we can make a big difference! 

6. Why is Adopt-A-Spot and the location you adopted important to you? From Allen Goodcase: Pride in our community is a benefit to all residents, and further serves to maintain a favorable impression for those who visit our village.

7. Why is Adopt-A-Spot and the location you adopted important to you? From Sharon Beckman: We have lived on Congress Park Ave. for over 26 years, and I tried to keep the parkway clean long before the Adopt-A-Spot program. I will continue to keep the parkway clean because I have pride in our village, and I applaud the other volunteers – thanks for your hard work.

8. Why is Adopt-A-Spot and the location you adopted important to you? From Janet Mueller: The spot I have is important to me because my children and step children always played football there (on Congress Parkway between Raymond and Deyo). I tried to watch for large objects, broken glass, etc. back then for their own safety. I also enjoy driving by and it is pleasing to the eye when clean.

9. Program Overview • Adopt-A-Spot program began in 2003 • As of March 20, 2009 we have: • 24 Volunteers • 54 Spots • 25 Spots Adopted • 29 Spots Need to be Adopted • Volunteers commit to clean up designated spot at least 6 times for a one year period

10. Changes for 2009 • Adopt-A-Highway • Issue Reporting • New Spots Added • Brookfield Garden Club • Special request for planting project at Village Hall

11. Adopt-A-Highway • Ogden Avenue adopted by the Beautification Committee • Application approved through IDOT • Committed to 8 cleanup days over the next 2 years • First cleanup in May • Committee members will clean up trash along Ogden Avenue from Custer to Eberly

12. Issue Reporting • Will help us keep track of trouble spots and provide feedback to Public Works • Drop in Village Hall white mailbox or stamp and mail in to us • Forms will also be available to download from Village website and can be submitted via email • Feedback?

13. New Spots Added • Forest Preserve Borders • Landscaped area by flag poles in front of Village Hall along Brookfield Avenue • Historical Society • Jet at Jaycee/Ehlert Park • Jaycee/Ehlert Skate Park

14. Special Requests • Brookfield Garden Club and Village Hall • Create guidelines and determine budget • Plant List, site map/plan, fit in with Master Gardener’s, Maintenance plan; drought resistant, watering plan etc.

15. We need your help • Ideas on attracting new volunteers • Do you have the support you need from the Village/Beautification • What can we do to improve? • Would you like more information through the village website on this program • Renewal process; annual vs. multi-year agreement • Would you like to meet as a group more than once a year? • Recognition ideas?

16. Ideas for Future • Adopt-A-Spot signs at spots with recognition for Volunteers and to encourage adoption • Education programs to teach responsibility; to be held at library with either guest speakers or Beautification Committee volunteer(s) • Contact Keep America Beautiful and introduce to local schools • Research grants for cleanup and education • Planting projects • Float in 4th of July Parade or LaGrange Pet Parade? • Flyers to be given to students at area schools

17. Additional Beautification Committee Projects • Project N.I.C.E. - Saturday, April 25 • Perennial Plant Swap - Saturday, June 6 • Garden Contest -Sign up May-July. Judging in August • Make a Difference Day - October 17 • Brookfield Community Garden • Beautification, Conservation, Garden Club

18. Check out The Beautification Committee web pageon the Village of Brookfield Website for more details on Adopt-A-Spot and other Beautification Committee projects. Thank you! Contact Nicole.Gilhooley@yahoo.com at 773-793-2677 with questions.