Highland Park news briefs for Dec. 22

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Updated: January 23, 2012 10:19AM

Construction-debris recycling to start

The city of Highland Park became the first municipality in Lake County Nov. 14 to establish a construction debris recycling ordinance, which takes effect Jan. 1

The ordinance aims to divert at least 50 percent of construction waste away from landfills, in accordance with the city’s long-standing sustainability initiatives.

Created through the efforts of several citizen groups, beginning with the Environmental Commission and concluding with the Construction Debris Recycling Working Group, the law applies to the construction of a principal structure, demolition of a principle structure, or renovation and/or addition of 2,500-square-feet or more.

For projects for which permit applications are submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2013, the recycling requirement increases to 75 percent of construction debris.

The full text of the new ordinance is available at www.cityhpil.com/chapter170. For more information, contact the Highland Park Department of Community Development Building Division at (847) 432-0808.

Alliance offers free skating Tuesdays

The Downtown Highland Park Alliance is offering “Free Skating Tuesdays” at the outdoor ice skating rink at Port Clinton Square beginning on Tuesday (Dec. 20).

Free skating also will be offered on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The $2 rental fee still applies.

The general public skating hours are Monday through Thursday from 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.; 3:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission price is $2.

City sets holiday tree-disposal rules

The city of Highland Park and the Park District of Highland Park are providing residents with several outlets to dispose of holiday trees this winter season.

Trees may be recycled at Park District drop-off sites or picked up curbside by Veolia Environmental
Services, the city’s residential refuse and recycling hauler.

The Park District collections will run from Dec. 26 to Jan. 22 at Larry Fink Park (701 Deer Creek Parkway) and Danny Cunniff Park (2700 Trail Way St.)

Both sites will have signs posted directing residents to the designated drop-off areas in the parking lots.

Trees should not contain decorations, wires or any other materials. Park District crews will recycle the trees into mulch, which will be available to residents for personal use or used for trails and landscaping throughout the city.

Contact Ted Baker, director of parks, at (847) 579-3130 for more information.

Between Jan. 2 and Jan. 25, Veolia Environmental Services will collect, transport and dispose of trees left curbside by all customers on their primary refuse collection day.

A sticker is not required. For more information, contact Veolia at (847) 272‐4145.