January 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 27

An eye toward sustainability led the
decision making for both the Heritage
Oak Golf Club golf course renovations
and new clubhouse construction.
a No Further Remediation letter
from the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency.
The park district applied for and
was awarded a $1.78 million grant
from the Illinois Clean Energy Community
Foundation (ICECF), which
provides grants for exemplary buildings
that maximize energy efficiency
through net zero energy building
status. Northbrook is only the second
park district in Illinois to receive
an ICECF grant for construction of
a net zero energy building.
Efficiencies were created at
TPAC in a holistic manner to meet
net zero energy building standards,
addressing increased on-site energy
production and decreased energy
consumption. The energy generated
from the 833 rooftop photovoltaic
(solar) panels will be greater
than or equal to the amount of energy
used in the building during a
12-month period.
Design choices throughout the
project focused on reducing greenhouse
gases and the building's
overall carbon
footprint - including
highly efficient mechanical
systems, airtight construction,
increased levels of polyisocyanurate
insulation, high-performance
low-emissivity
coated windows
are strategically placed to
maximize ambient
that
light,
and
LED lighting with occupancy and
light-level sensors in the building
and parking lot. All of these netzero
features are explained through
large-format signage in the lobby
that also includes real-time performance
data.
Inside and out, the property
was designed with sustainability
in mind. A 200-foot bioswale in
the parking lot incorporates native
plants to collect, manage and
filter stormwater prior to sending
it to the nearby prairie basin and a
branch of the Chicago River. The
landscape plan includes pollinatorfriendly
naturalized
areas, along
with 68 newly planted trees and the
development of no-mow spaces to
reduce the use of chemicals and
gas-powered machinery.
Solar production and building
consumption numbers are following
the model developed by architectural
firm Wight & Co., and the
facility was recently added to the
Illinois Net Zero Honor Roll and
Watch List by the Illinois Green
Alliance.
Heritage Oaks Golf Club
In response to the priorities identified
in the master planning process,
Northbrook turned its attention to
Heritage Oaks Golf Club (HOGC),
formerly known as Sportsman's
Country Club, a 27-hole golf facility
dating back to 1931. The
renewed facility re-opened to the
public in August 2021.
An eye toward sustainability
led the decision making for both
the golf course renovations and
the new clubhouse construction.
While the property was already
Audubon certified, natural components
were enhanced by expanding
ponds, planting 356 trees, and using
permeable pavers to improve
stormwater management, retention
and reuse on the property.
Additionally, parking lot asphalt
was removed, and a dustless grinder
was brought onto the site to break
the asphalt down for use as a construction
base. Then, new concrete
was poured using technology that
introduces recycled carbon dioxide
into the fresh concrete. This process
not only reduced the site's carbon
footprint, but also transportation
effects and construction waste.
With the team from RATIO
Architects, design decisions were
carefully made - including certified,
sustainably sourced wood siding;
carpet made from 57 percent
post-consumer recycled content that
is 100 percent recyclable at the end
of its life; Greenguard gold standard
laminated countertops and surfaces;
and even lawn furniture made of
100 percent recycled milk jugs.
Through careful planning and a
commitment to creative and sustainable
solutions, the Northbrook Park
District will continue to serve as the
responsible steward of New Places
to Play, fulfilling the mission of this
95-year-old park district.
Joan Scovic is Director of Marketing and Communications
for Northbrook Park District (jscovic@nbparks.org).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | J ANUAR Y 2 0 22 | Parks & Recreation
27
January 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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