April 29 – the day after Arbor Day – was a busy day for the environmentally conscious in Riverside, despite some chilly and rainy conditions. From 9 a.m. to noon volunteers from the Hofmann Dam River Rats fanned out in the forest preserve across the river to clean up the riverbank and trails. During that same time, Frederick Law Olmsted Society volunteers joined Village Forest Mike Collins in planting a pair of oak trees at the Longcommon/Downing Triangle. That afternoon, FLOS and village officials (including former FLOS President Cathy Maloney, joined by her husband, Mike) gathered on the bluff of Swan Pond to cut the ribbon on the Olmsted Overlook, a grove of native trees planted by FLOS last April in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of Olmsted’s birth.
Photos by Todd A. Bannor
Hofmann Dam River Rat volunteers clean up debris along the Des Plaines River on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
A Hofmann Dam River Rat volunteer cleans up debris along the Des Plaines River on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
Hofmann Dam River Rat volunteers clean up debris along the Des Plaines River on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
Hofmann Dam River Rat volunteers clean up debris along the Des Plaines River on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
Village officials and members of the Frederick Law Olmsted Society at the Olmsted Overlook ribbon cutting in Riverside on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
Yvonne Lucero, president of the Frederick Law Olmsted Society cuts the ribbon at Olmsted Overlook in Riverside with Trustee Alexander Gallegos on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
Cathy and Mike Maloney of the Frederick Law Olmsted Society speak at the Olmsted Overlook ribbon cutting in Riverside on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
Cathy and Mike Maloney of the Frederick Law Olmsted Society try the new bench at Olmsted Overlook in Riverside on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
Members of the Frederick Law Olmsted Society prepare to plant a burr oak sapling in Kent/Longcommon Triangle, Riverside on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
Riverside Forester Michael Collins at right and volunteers from the Frederick Law Olmsted Society plant a burr oak in Kent/Longcommon Triangle on April 29, 2023. | Todd A. Bannor 
Riverside Forester Michael Collins at left and volunteers from the Frederick Law Olmsted Society plant a burr oak in Kent/Longcommon Triangle on Saturday April 29, 2023 | Todd A. Bannor