Oak Park Offers Useful Programs, Institutes Water Restriction

Oak Park likes to take care of its residents. And in doing so, the village has several programs Oak Parkers should stick on their “must-know” lists.  

From a new organics collection program to child safety seat inspections to a water restriction, here’s a quick rundown of Oak Park must-knows:

• It’s the dog days of summer and that means rising temperatures. In the interest of preserving the Great Lakes, Oak Park has issued a water restriction, in effect until Sept. 15. Outdoor watering is limited to Monday through Friday. Even-numbered street addresses may water on even-numbered days and odd-numbered street addresses may water on odd-numbered days. Many newly planted grass and plants are exempt from the rule for the first 30 days of growth. For more information, email publicworks@oak-park.us.
• For $14 a month, village residents can feel good about not sending their organic refuse to landfills, thanks to a new Oak Park program. The village is now offering a food scrap composting service to its residents. Oak Park will distribute to participants a 96-gallon mobile cart, an under-sink collection bucket and a compostable bag for food scraps. According to the village, almost 500 homes are already participating in the new program. For more information, email compostable@oak-park.us.
• Ever worry your child seat isn’t installed exactly as the manufacturer intended? Well, pick up the phone and make an appointment with the Oak Park Fire Department. Through the OPFD (and by appointment only), the village offers a child safety seat inspection by one of its qualified firemen. Just call the special child-seat-inspection line (708.358.5604) for an appointment. And be sure to bring both the vehicle manual as well as the car seat manual to the appointment. For more information, email carseat@oak-park.us.
• Keeping solicitors off your doorstep is easier than ever. Oak Park offers free “No Solicitor” stickers to help prevent those unwanted visits that always seem to come and the most inconvenient times. Just stop by Village Hall (123 Madison St., Oak Park) and ask for the sticker. For more information, email clerk@oak-park.us.