Green Space & Planting Projects

Joe Glik Park Prairie Project

Native vegetation and plantings are beneficial to a community in many ways. In public spaces, including parks, they can be an aesthetically pleasing addition, and they are also good for bugs, birds, pollinators and all types of wildlife. Over time, these low-maintenance prairie patches also tend to require less mowing and care, which can lower costs and benefit the environment.

Two acres of land at Joe Glik Park, 710 East Lake Drive, are being transformed into a native prairie habitat. The prairie project, which began in fall of 2024, sits on a sloping piece of land on the southeast edge of the 42-acre park. Nearly 40 different types of flowering plants and prairie grasses – dubbed a “showy mixed height prairie” – were used to seed the site in early 2025. After seeding, the prairie project site will require monitoring and regular maintenance for a couple of years to help the native plants get established and prevent weeds from crowding out the native varieties. Once the prairie vegetation is well established, less maintenance will be needed. Expected plant heights at maturity will vary. Paths will be mowed into the site once it’s established to allow visitors to experience it from all sides.

From start to finish, the project is estimated to cost less than $5,000, which will be paid for out of the Glik Development Fund that was created to support Joe Glik Park. The fund is overseen by the Edwardsville Community Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization.