The Allerton Park Climate Action Plan (apCAP) was approved by the Park Advisory Board in 2012. The plan lays out a philosophy of “conserve (everything) and load (with renewables)”, with a goal of bringing Allerton to a net zero energy and emissions by 2035. In doing so, Allerton will also strive to serve as a learning laboratory for the demonstration of sustainable technologies – to educate individuals and prepare them to face the challenges of becoming a sustainable society.
Allerton currently utilizes geothermal energy in the Gatehouse, and solar panels and wood burning furnaces provide energy for all the buildings in the Visitor Center complex. The addition of a composting toilet at the Schroth Trail Parking Lot in 2016 improved visitor amenities on the south side of the Park. For the past several years, we have been collecting discarded rock, brick, and concrete from around the Park and grinding it into material to shore up trails and top parking lots. (Look closely in the Visitor Center lot – you can see bits of gray slate from our last Mansion roof replacement!)
When developing and renovating areas around the Park, as laid out in the Master Plan, we will continue to be conscious not only of the impact on the historical significance of the area, but also the environmental impact. Specifically, as the Visitor Center area is transformed into an area that promotes art, education, and offers unique public engagement opportunities, we will utilize innovative sustainable technologies to help ensure that all permanent development is carbon neutral.
View a short video from 2015 explaining our sustainability efforts and plans here.
If you have questions about the apCAP or are interested in supporting new technology to promote sustainability at Allerton, contact us at allertoninfo@illinois.edu or call 217-333-3287.
