Hidden Oaks Nature Center receives 'green' award

The Bolingbrook Park District's Hidden Oaks Nature Center has been selected as a Green Building of America Award-winning facility.

The designation was made by the Real Estate & Construction Review-Midwest Green Success Stories publication, which selected Hidden Oaks from 2,500 nominated projects.

Submitting the nomination of Hidden Oaks was Wight & Company, which designed and built the nature center.

"We were thrilled to learn of this," said Alice Eastman, superintendent of Natural Resources for the Bolingbrook Park District. "We had other park districts and agencies look at this facility. Even people who are building homes look at our materials and how it was constructed. This is like a learning tool for others."

Eastman said the center was built with state-of-art materials resulting in "energy and water efficiencies."

Situated on 17 heavily wooded acres, the Hidden Oaks Center will be registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and will be designated to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum Standards.

"It was designed to meet platinum standards," Eastman said. "It's a one-of-a kind facility."

Also at the Oct. 22 Park District board meeting, a set of changes, described as routine, to accommodate village requirements and other needs regarding the construction of Hidden Oaks were approved.

"This is something we've seen before with other major projects. It's inevitable," said Jim Patula, director of Buildings and Grounds and Natural Resources. "This is it, there will be no other construction changes at Hidden Oaks."

The total expenditure for the changes, which were not part of the construction contract, was $23,944. Replacement of doors damaged by vandals, adding exterior lights, modifying light fixtures, wiring changes and other items were included.

Commissioner Denise Allen announced that Jerry and Estella Hayes, "in-home" winners of television's "Biggest Loser" contest, will make a presentation on weight loss and health and discuss their experience on the show. The event will kickoff the district's Biggest Loser Contest and Health Fair on Jan. 9.

Allen said the event will be marketed starting in October with newspaper advertising and 20,000 door hangers.