The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has announced the creation of a new administrative unit — the Division of Parks and Natural Spaces (DPNS) — to oversee Allerton Park and Retreat Center and the Illinois Arboretum. Headed by current Allerton Executive Director Derek Peterson, DPNS will ensure long-term sustainability of these public recreational spaces by focusing on conservation and community engagement.

The creation of DPNS means the 160-acre Arboretum near the corner of Lincoln and Florida in Urbana will move back under campus management after 20 years of stewardship by the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Since its inception in 1989, the Arboretum has been a living laboratory for students throughout the university, providing a space for hands-on learning and research, as well as a place for the entire community to experience the benefits of being in nature.

Kevin McSweeney, Clinical Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences and former Arboretum Director praised the staff, student interns, and volunteers with the Illinois Prairie Hosta Society for their dedication to Arboretum land stewardship. 

“Donor support for Arboretum amenities and programs have been vital and include establishment of the Sesquicentennial Garden, the Santogrossi Council Ring and Walkway, and acquisition of a new dump truck and trailer,” he said. “We also greatly appreciate our long-term partnerships with the Idea Garden, Japan House, and the Pollinatarium.”

ACES Dean Germán Bollero explained that through periodic review of operations, it became apparent that there were opportunities for more integrated services and management of the university’s public lands.

“Creating a new campus division to oversee Allerton and the Arboretum will allow for efficiencies in staffing, administration, operations, and equipment while continuing to make these tremendous assets accessible to ACES, the entire campus, and the larger community,” Bollero said. “The college is incredibly grateful to Dr. McSweeney and the staff who have cared for the Arboretum for 20 years, but we are confident that Derek Peterson and DPNS will be excellent stewards of both properties going forward.”

During his 19-year tenure at Allerton, including the last eight as Executive Director, Peterson has led the effort to make substantial improvements to the 125-year-old infrastructure, while increasing public programming and accessibility. The 1,500 acre estate, located 25 miles west of campus in Monticello, was donated to the university by Robert Allerton in 1946. 

“We have built a team who is ready to broaden our reach, connecting even more people to therapeutic parks and natural spaces,” Peterson said. “As we apply the strategies and systems that we’ve built at Allerton over the last decade, you will start to see the same type of impact.”

As head of DPNS, Peterson will draw inspiration from the Arboretum's 2021 Master Plan, with a short-term focus on improving iconic physical spaces, creating connections between those spaces, growing partnerships, and increasing communication with the community and donors. DNPS will also be an instrumental partner as the Doris Kelley Christopher Illinois Extension Center breaks ground within the Arboretum this spring. 

Peterson explained that while many current Arboretum activities will continue, including natural areas management, garden improvements, student education, and serving as a site for races and events, patience is needed as the division navigates a new facility while ensuring continued success at Allerton.

"As we create more opportunities for engagement with this new population, we will simultaneously increase the visibility of Allerton to an expanded audience," Peterson said. “We look forward to learning how we can best serve the campus community and the public through this new urban endeavor."