Correction: Inaccurate information about the project's funding was posted on the Park District of Oak Park website and appeared in the original version of this story. It has been corrected here.

The cacao, patchouli and a baby rubber plants are back in place at the Oak Park Conservatory. Same with the albino catfish and talking parrots who call the Tropical Room home.

The facility, 615 Garfield St., reopened in its entirety Nov. 1 after a series of lead abatement projects that spanned eight years.

The Fern Room was renovated in 2002, followed by the Desert Room and greenhouses. The Tropical Room renovation began in June and marked the last phase of the project, which included electrical, masonry and steel work.

"All of the projects began as lead abatement," said conservatory manager Henrietta Yardley. "But it was just like when you're doing your kitchen at home – you think you need a new dishwasher and all of a sudden you're getting all new appliances."

Lead, a poisonous metal, was a common ingredient in paint until it was banned for health reasons in 1978. The Park District of Oak Park had long been aware of the presence of lead, but "maintenance was deferred for many years because there was no money," Yardley said.

The Park District funded the $299,513 Tropical Room project after a tax increase referendum passed in spring 2005, its first in 35 years.

Lead abatement involves removing old paint form surfaces and encapsulating any traces left behind.

The worst part of the project, said conservatory technician Mark Omi, was cutting back the trees to make room for the lead abatement crew to work.

"After 10 years of keeping the trees in shape, it was really tough to just go in there and maim them," said Omi, an internationally certified arborist.

Designed to imitate the look and feel of a South American rain forest, the room offers a warm, humid and fragrant place to unwind in Oak Park.

The conservatory is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. most days and admission is free, although donations are accepted.