Village of Algonquin, Illinois ~ Landscaping & Development

We like trees around us because they make life more pleasant. Most of us respond to the presence of trees beyond simply observing their beauty. We feel serene, peaceful, restful and tranquil in a grove of trees. The strong ties of people and trees are most evident in the resistance of community residents to removing trees to widen streets. Or we note the heroic efforts of individuals and organizations to save particularly large or historic trees in a community.

Even though trees may be private property, their size often makes them part of the entire community. Since trees occupy considerable space, planning is required if both you and your neighbors are to benefit. With proper selection and maintenance, trees can enhance and function on one property without infringing upon the rights and privileges of neighbors. Did you know that property values of landscaped homes are 5-20% higher than those of non-landscaped homes?

With this in mind, the Village of Algonquin has implemented the "Urban Forestry" program that includes Tree City USA membership and the Tree Preservation Code.

Tree City USA, sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of America's towns and cities.

The Village of Algonquin, as a Tree City USA and Arbor Day participant, follows strict rules and regulations regarding the care and maintenance of all trees in residential, commercial and recreational areas. The Village is actively and progressively working toward "ultimate reforestation" - a plan that ensures that any tree that has been removed is replaced within a prompt timeframe by the Village's Parks and Forestry division. If you have a failing tree on any Village right-of-way, please call (847) 658 - 2754. A Village arborist will schedule a visit to your property, analyze the condition of the tree, and make arrangements to provide a new, of equal value tree and the tree will be replaced at no cost if removal and replacement is necessary.

On average, the Village of Algonquin plants over 400 new trees each year and hopes to aggressively reforest all available areas within the next 5-8 years, when funds are available. It is an exciting and proactive plan that will offer aesthetic enjoyment, as well as environmental benefit, for many generations to come. Through the tree preservation plan, developers are often required to donate funds to continue the reforestation program at such a strong and steady pace.

The Village proudly sponsors a 50/50 tree-planting program for available tree planting areas through the Urban Reforestation Program. If you have a space available located within a village parkway, and at least 40 feet from another tree, you may qualify for the 50/50 program. A Village arborist will schedule a visit to your property, analyze the site, and make arrangements to provide a new tree and cover half of the planting price.

In addition, please visit Tree City USA online to learn more about proper techniques when removing, planting, and maintaining trees on your property.

An arborist is a specialist in the care of individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees, and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through at least three years experience and who have passed a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation's leading experts on tree care.

The Village of Algonquin's certified arborists can provide a variety of services to help maintain your valuable investment such as determining what type of pruning is necessary; help decide whether or not a tree should be removed, and what types of trees are appropriate for specific locations within the village.

In addition, great educational efforts are made every year, in Village of Algonquin community schools. Every year, typically in late April, the Parks and Forestry Department celebrates Arbor Day by visiting Village of Algonquin 3rd graders to discuss history of trees, the many benefits of trees, and allow discussion time for students to ask questions. In addition, small "goodies" are handed out such as pencils, balloons, and interactive brochures. It instills tree awareness at a young age, as students will hopefully "live what they have learned" as they become adults.

Tree trimming in the Village of Algonquin is encouraged and practiced in the winter months, when trees are dormant. Parkway trees are trimmed in Algonquin to allow safe passage of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, promote the health and direct future growth of the tree, remove hazardous conditions, and increase overall aesthetic value. All trees planted in the Village parkways are the property of the Village of Algonquin and maintained by the Public Works department. All forestry crewmembers are professionally trained to perform this required maintenance. The Village of Algonquin tree-trimming schedule follows a 5-year cycle.

Free mulch is offered year-round to Village of Algonquin residents through the Village's Public Works Department. Residents must provide their own pick-up for the service. Please call (847) 658 - 2754 for more information.

Learning proper techniques for mulching around trees and correct tree-trimming methods are critical to the survival and health of your tree(s). To learn more about the proper care and maintenance of trees, please visit Tree City USA or treesaregood.org.

The Village of Algonquin, to help promote, protect, and preserve the general health and safety of the community and ensure aesthetic enhancement of land uses, has adopted the Landscape Code. When effectively enforced, it successfully screens unsightly elements, complements structures, ensures compatibility among land uses, helps prevent soil erosion, reduces stormwater runoff, provides shade for parking and other areas, and enhances the streetscape - just to name a few. The Landscape Code can be found on this website under the Municipal Code, Chapter 30.

Algonquin's many current and "in development" trail systems are located throughout the Village. Colorful interpretive signage along the trails indicate "treasures" along the path that include native plant and animal species, wetlands, and other environmental focal points. You can view the Parks, Trails and Open Space Map on this website, found on the Community Development Department page, under Plans/Maps.

The bike trails, in particular, add a wonderful recreational component for Village residents and visitors! Take a ride today and treat yourself, family, and friends!

Many communities have adopted "shared parking lot" community development practices. Clustering of commercial uses into commercial or business districts is important to ensure appropriate arterial access by helping to channel traffic efficiently into shared parking lots and allowing for proper traffic flow.

The Village of Algonquin encourages shared parking for businesses with different peak hours or where extra space is already available. By the creation of frontage roads - as seen in many Village of Algonquin commercial areas, traffic moves more freely on main roadways, preventing excessive stoppage and limiting the use of curb cuts, which are all beneficial to the environment with less pavement, and less pollution from stopped or slow-moving automobiles due to congestion.

The Village prohibits leaf burning within the Village limits. Recreational fires in approved fire pits or containers are allowed without a permit. All other open burning of landscape waste, may be burned subject to conditions and limitations, see below for more information.

Obtain an open burn permit in advance at the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District before you begin burning. Call the Fire District at 847-658-8233 or visit their website for further information.

The Village of Algonquin is a strong supporter of downtown revitalization efforts and has completed numerous grant-funded projects, including Harrison Street and Main Street repairs, improvements, and renovations. The revitalization of Algonquin's downtown landscape encourages bike and pedestrian traffic, provides a friendly/cultural environment with newly planted trees and benches. It is convenient for residents and visitors alike to have the freedom to live, work, shop and dine in one location. Environmentally, downtown revitalization promotes the continued usage of buildings and structures already present within a community.

In contrast to building new on "green" sites (sites not previously used for development), downtown revitalization makes wonderful usage of already available resources and amenities. Momentum continues to build for the Village of Algonquin's downtown revitalization progress, as new funding through the State of Illinois is being successfully used for continued projects such as road and sidewalk repairs, beautifying (flower boxes and historic street lamps and benches), and nearby downtown parks and bike paths.

By 2010, the Downtown will host many mixed uses by featuring shopping, recreation, leisure-time activities, and living arrangements. The historic nature will be preserved through architectural features of new and old buildings and pedestrian/bicycle-friendly areas. In all, the Historic Downtown will continue to function as the "heart and soul" of Algonquin.