The Village of Park Forest recognized residents and community groups for their commitment to environmental stewardship during the presentation of the 2025 Katherine “Katie” Armstrong Sustainability Awards at Monday night’s Village Board meeting.
The annual awards honor individuals and organizations whose actions advance sustainability through conservation, education, equity, and community engagement. This year’s recipients were recognized with a metal yard sign, a certificate, placement on the Village website, and an engraved gold leaf on the Sustainability Tree plaque located in the Village Hall lobby.
In the Residential Home category, Trenae Hudson was honored for growing her own food in 12 garden beds and 20 pots, maintaining two compost bins, cultivating milkweed to support pollinators, and collecting rainwater in 8 rain barrels.
Dr. Ann LaFrance was also recognized in the Residential Home category for her long-standing commitment to sustainable living. For more than a decade, LaFrance has used rain barrels supplied by the Village, grown fruits and vegetables to share with neighbors, and participated in Park Forest’s municipal renewable energy aggregation program. Her home features two composters, biweekly curbside composting through the Urban Canopy program, Energy Star appliances, and a pesticide-free front yard designed to support biodiversity year-round.
Esther Muchiri received an honorable mention in the Residential Home category. A previous Residential award recipient in 2019, Muchiri continues to be recognized for conserving water through rain barrels, growing food for neighbors, using renewable energy, composting, reducing car trips, creating pollinator habitats, and making energy-efficient home improvements.
The Cooperative category recognized the Birch Street Gardeners Committee, whose members include Jane Dwyer, Kynithia Kendall, Dominic Balmaseda, Diana Cruz, Andrea Hetzel, and John Ostenburg. In 2022, the group transformed an underused space into a thriving pollinator garden featuring native plants that support wildlife, improve soil health, and enhance water retention. The project also strengthened neighborhood connections through shared stewardship.
Sheila Nesbit was also honored in the Cooperative category for her everyday sustainability efforts, including walking or biking throughout the Village, supporting local businesses, collecting litter during walks, recycling on her block, planting pollinator-friendly vegetation, and maintaining an energy-efficient home.
In the Community Garden category, Rasheeri Obah was recognized for her stewardship of the community garden on Indianwood Boulevard near downtown Park Forest. Her work has created a welcoming and productive space that benefits both residents and passersby.
The Community-Led Project category honored the Tool Lending Library volunteers, whose efforts provide residents access to shared tools while reducing waste and strengthening community ties. The library operates Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and is supported by 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 Cut Thru Crew was also recognized for its community-wide beautification efforts. The volunteer group formed after resident Michele Johnson responded to concerns about overgrown cut-throughs and partnered with Public Works Director Roderick Ysaguirre to organize cleanups. Cut-throughs are narrow, tree-lined pathways connecting neighborhoods throughout Park Forest and were originally designed as part of the Village’s midcentury plan.
Within four months of their first meeting, the Cut Thru Crew 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 to continue meeting periodically in 2026 to maintain the paths and assist with additional beautification projects.
The Katherine “Katie” Armstrong Sustainability Awards highlight the collective impact residents and volunteers have in advancing Park Forest’s environmental and community values.