Oh! Bee Parks Honey
At the Dean Nature Sanctuary, a small yet powerful force is at work—our bees. These vital pollinators play a key role in supporting native plants, healthy food chains, and biodiversity right here in Oak Brook.
With support from the Oak Brook Park District Foundation, several hives have been sustainably established within the sanctuary. The Foundation helps fund hive maintenance, education programs, and the careful harvesting of honey. The result? A thriving pollinator habitat that supports both the environment and the community.
Why It Matters:
- Bees support one-third of the food we eat through pollination
- Native bees and honeybees help keep our parks and natural areas in balance
- Foundation-harvested honey is used in community based programs, and proceeds go directly back into local conservation efforts
Proceeds from every bottle of honey sold at the Oak Brook Park District’s Family Recreation Center Check-In Desk, combined with support from donors who believe in the cause, help build a stronger, more resilient ecosystem, one bee at a time.
Bhoopalam Maple Grove
Adjacent to the buzzing hives, a grove of native sugar maple trees is quietly taking root. These trees were made possible through a generous gift from the Bhoopalam-Devata family, longtime Oak Brook residents committed to enhancing community well-being and environmental health.
Planted with purpose, these sugar maples:
- Beautify the sanctuary year-round
- Offer nectar for the sanctuary’s honeybee population
- Will one day be harvested for locally made maple syrup, with proceeds benefiting the Foundation’s mission
The Bhoopalam Maple Grove is more than a planting, it’s a living legacy.
