Please contact Ashley at the City of Darien for the 50/50 Parkway Tree Planting Program at 630-353-8105 or e-mail aprueter@darienil.gov for additional information or to place your order. The deadline to order trees is September 19.

The following trees are available for the parkways:

Please contact Mike at Beary Landscape for private property tree planting at

815-838-4100.

The deadline to order private property trees is September 19.

The following trees are available for private property planting:

Have you ever wondered where exactly the stuff that runs into a storm drain goes? The mysterious pipes hidden beneath those metal grates on your street corner usually connect to a nearby river or creek. In some places, storm drains send water underground, and these aquifers are even harder to clean up than streams. That's why storm drains are only for the rain and snowmelt!  

You can help ensure that our rivers and drinking water sources are clean by keeping pollution out of neighborhood storm drains. Pledge to keep your storm drain clear of leaves and debris and never dump anything into a storm drain!

1. Keep storm drains clear

City and county crews work to keep storm drains clear, but with thousands of drains across the state, they need your help. You can reduce street flooding by keeping storm drain grates clear of leaves and debris. Here's how: 

• Take a look at the storm drain grates in front of your home or business before and right after a rain or snow storm. Check to make sure they are free of leaves and debris.
• Use a rake or pitch fork to clear leaves and debris from the storm drain. Please use caution! Do not put your feet or hands into the storm drain because dangerous debris could collect there. Do not try to remove the grate, only the debris on top of the grate. Dispose of leaves in your yard waste container or compost bin. 
• When leaves fall into the street, rake them one foot away from the curb so they won't block the path of rain water. 
• If you can't clean a clogged storm drain yourself, notify your city or county public works department that help is needed. 

2. Never dump in a storm drain

Dumping into a storm drain isn't just wrong, it's against the law. Automotive fluid, paint, household materials, pesticides: none of these things should be poured into a storm drain where they end up polluting our rivers and groundwater. Did you know that 90% of stream pollution is due to storm water run-off?

• Draining your pool or hot tub to the storm drain? Not ok. Better to send it into the sewer via a toilet, sink or tub drain.
• Washing cars on grass in your yard, or at a car wash will keep the phosphates from entering streams and rivers.
• Dumping out coffee or soda from your car? Instead of pouring it into the street, pour it onto a lawn or planted area where the soil can soak it up and break it down. Better yet, bring it inside and pour it down the sink.
• If you change your oil at home, do it over the grass where toxins can sink into the ground slowly, rather than running off the driveway and into the storm drains. If your car does leak oil onto your driveway, remove it from the surface before it rains. NEVER pour oil down the stormdrain!
• Disposing of hazardous chemicals? Take hazardous chemicals to a household hazardous waste top-off site. To find one in your area visit earth911.com

The City of Darien has a comprehensive mosquito abatement program of treating standing water areas to eliminate mosquito larvae. The program is conducted by CLARK, who leads the industry by pioneering, developing and delivering environmentally-responsible and integrated mosquito control solutions. These programs are more effective than spraying and kill a very high percentage of potential mosquitoes.  Once mosquitoes grow into adults and begin to fly, treatments are much less effective.  Additionally, there have been concerns that the chemicals sprayed into the air may be harmful to human health. 

We do ask residents to assist in reducing nuisance mosquitoes by regularly changing bird baths, clearing gutters, and maintaining other areas that may hold water.   Additionally, experts strongly recommend using mosquito repellant when going out during mosquito season.  The following link to the DuPage County Health Department provides additional information on mosquito control.  http://www.dupagehealth.org/protection-against-mosquitoes 

On August 29, 2014 at approximately 3:00pm, a resident in the 300 block of Janet reported a male subject knocking on her back door. The male stated he was from a water company and needed entry to residence to check the clarity of water for contamination. The male was told to wait outside while the resident obtained a glass of water. The male entered the residence but remained at the doorway after being observed by another resident. The male told the resident the water looked fine and left.

The male was described as Hispanic, age 50, 5'08 in height, black hair and moustache. The male was wearing a yellow shirt with no company logo.

Please be aware that city workers will never ask for entry to your residence without an appointment. City workers will be wearing shirts with the city logo on them, have City of Darien identifications cards, and will be in vehicles marked with the City of Darien on the side.

The Darien Police strongly recommend that residents keep their storm or screen door locked at all times. This will provide a secured barrier. Do not allow anyone entry to your residence that you have not personally contacted and arranged an appointment.

Call the Darien Police at 9-1-1 with anything suspicious. The police officer will come out to your residence and verify a work order or identity. Remain vigilant to your neighbors as well.