Categories: Chicago

Naperville Park District’s 2020 Pumpkin Smash has Record Turnout

The Naperville Park District’s 2020 Pumpkin Smash had a record turnout. Warm weather and the opportunity to participate in a social distance outdoor event brought out hundreds of people to the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots on Saturday, November 7 to drop off leftover pumpkins to be composted into the garden soil.

The Park District’s 4th annual Pumpkin Smash had a record of 5,684 lbs. of pumpkins. That record was easily broken with 14,529 lbs., almost triple the previous record. The participants had the choice of smashing the pumpkins themselves or let the volunteers do it for them.

“A special thanks to staff and volunteers who helped run the event,” said Nature Center Manager Angelique Harshman. “We were happy to see so many people contribute pumpkins this year.” SCARCE, a local environmental organization, had coordinated 40 pumpkin collections, that included the Naperville Park District event. Composting pumpkins has numerous benefits that include:

  • Keeping waste out of the landfill
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Creating a natural fertilizer for our soil
Josephine Poot

Contributor

Recent Posts

Chicago Proposes First-in-Nation Social Media ‘SMART Tax’

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has introduced a new tax proposal targeting major social media companies as part of his effort…

14 hours ago

Chicago Teachers Union, CPS Reach $1.5B Deal Without Strike

The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools have reached a $1.5 billion, four-year contract that will shape classrooms across…

2 days ago

Early Bird Flu Surge Hits Europe, North America Hard

Europe and North America are confronting an unusually early and intense surge of bird flu, with outbreaks spreading across wild…

2 days ago

Chicago Fire, Versiti Partner for Community Blood Drive

Chicago Fire FC and the Versiti Blood Center of Illinois are partnering to host the Fire Up Blood Drive, a…

3 days ago

Jeanne Ives Warns Chicago Is ‘Bankrupt’ Amid Debt Strain

Former Illinois Representative Jeanne Ives said Chicago is effectively bankrupt and that investors are signaling growing concern over the city’s…

3 days ago

Turkey Adoption Programs Grow as Sanctuaries Shift Tradition

A growing number of farm animal sanctuaries across the country are promoting an alternative Thanksgiving tradition that invites families to…

4 days ago

This website uses cookies.