The Village of Park Forest presented the 2025 Katherine “Katie” Armstrong Sustainability Awards at its recent Village Board meeting, recognizing residents and community groups for their contributions to environmental stewardship.
The annual awards are given to individuals and organizations whose actions support sustainability through conservation, education, equity, and community engagement. Recipients received a metal yard sign, a certificate, placement on the Village website, and an engraved gold leaf on the Sustainability Tree plaque in the Village Hall lobby.
In the Residential Home category, Trenae Hudson was recognized for her efforts in growing food in multiple garden beds and pots, maintaining compost bins, cultivating milkweed for pollinators, and collecting rainwater using several barrels.
Dr. Ann LaFrance also received recognition in this category for more than ten years of sustainable living practices. These include using rain barrels provided by the Village, sharing homegrown produce with neighbors, participating in Park Forest’s renewable energy aggregation program, composting through various methods including Urban Canopy’s curbside service, using Energy Star appliances, and maintaining a pesticide-free front yard that supports biodiversity throughout the year.
Esther Muchiri earned an honorable mention as a previous award recipient who continues to conserve water with rain barrels, grow food for neighbors, use renewable energy sources, compost waste, reduce car trips, create pollinator habitats, and make energy-efficient improvements at home.
The Birch Street Gardeners Committee was honored in the Cooperative category. Members Jane Dwyer, Kynithia Kendall, Dominic Balmaseda, Diana Cruz, Andrea Hetzel, and John Ostenburg transformed an underused area into a pollinator garden with native plants that benefit wildlife and improve soil health while enhancing neighborhood connections.
Sheila Nesbit was also recognized in this category for daily sustainability practices such as walking or biking locally instead of driving; supporting local businesses; picking up litter; recycling; planting vegetation friendly to pollinators; and keeping her home energy efficient.
In the Community Garden category, Rasheeri Obah was acknowledged for managing a community garden on Indianwood Boulevard near downtown Park Forest. Her work has created a productive space used by both residents and passersby.
The Community-Led Project category included recognition of Tool Lending Library volunteers Ralph Hinterman, Patrice Harris, Candy Allen-Smith, John Robinson Jr., John Hudzik, Lindsay Gladstone, José Chagoya, David Young, Joan Young and Mubashir Olaoye. The library operates Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon providing access to shared tools while reducing waste.
The Cut Thru Crew was also honored for beautification projects across Park Forest. The group formed after resident Michele Johnson addressed concerns about overgrown cut-throughs—tree-lined pathways connecting neighborhoods—and partnered with Public Works Director Roderick Ysaguirre to organize cleanups. Within four months of starting their work they completed maintenance on all 34 village cut-throughs. Members include Michele Johnson; Tom Mick; Tracy Mick; Michael Wiley; Pam Schmeckpeper Brownlee; Warren Wood; Sue Blatchford; Diana Cruz; Tom Falkenthal; and Jen Whitson. The group plans continued efforts into 2026.
According to its official website, Park Forest promotes community health through dedicated programs and commissions while pursuing strategic objectives related to economic growth and innovative municipal services. The village operates under a council-manager government structure led by a mayor and six trustees as outlined here. It has received recognition for its sustainability initiatives—including support of national climate protection agreements—and provides educational opportunities like its Civic Leadership Academy (source).
“The Katherine ‘Katie’ Armstrong Sustainability Awards highlight the collective impact residents and volunteers have in advancing Park Forest’s environmental and community values.”
