Resident offers compostable bags and tools for Illinois Prairie Path cleanup

Bob Wagner, a Village of Villa Park resident, used the public‑comment period to urge the commission to replace traditional plastic trash bags with plant‑based compostable bags for the Illinois Prairie Path cleanup and offered equipment and assistance. “Depending on the thickness of the bag, if it's exposed to light and air, it could take 1000 years for a plastic bag to break down,” Wagner said, adding, “I'm willing to provide [compostable bags] to you, as a way to kind of transition away from plastic.”

The commission discussed coordination and logistics under agenda item 6c. Leslie Ellison, who is leading the Prairie Path effort for the commission, said she is awaiting a volunteer update from Ken McClure at the Illinois Prairie Path and asked volunteers to sign the IPP waiver at ipp.org/cleanup, selecting Villa Park so organizers can track groups. Ellison confirmed that IPP typically provides black trash bags and gloves and said those supplies would likely be available again; she encouraged groups to register and note their affiliation so planners know who will attend.

Wagner also noted River Sweep staging at Rotary Park and offered to keep grabbers and pokers available after River Sweep so volunteers could use them on the Prairie Path, a proposal commissioners welcomed. Ellison reiterated safety precautions and registration steps, and commissioners discussed supplying coffee, water and gloves for volunteers on the day of the cleanup.

The commission did not adopt a policy change at the meeting; commissioners instead accepted Wagner's offer to coordinate supplies and asked staff and volunteer leads to confirm numbers ahead of the event. For more information or to volunteer, Ellison directed people to ipp.org/cleanup and to the commission email pride@invillapark.com.

The commission plans further volunteer coordination in the lead‑up to the cleanup and will report back to the commission when IPP provides the volunteer tally and final logistics.