Prairie Roots is more than a garden...it is a living landscape designed to...
 
🌱 Restore native habitat
🦋 Support pollinator health
🌎 Boost climate resiliency
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Encourage intergenerational nature exploration
🐛 Offer outdoor library programs to spark curiosity and play 
🔍 Foster understanding of native ecosystems and pollinator roles
Learn more about the Prairie Roots Project on our website
 
Pollinator Habitat
Judd Street Plantings
Featured plants along the south side of the library include Prairie Dropseed, Purple Coneflower, Woodward Globe Arborvitae, Foxglove Beardtongue, and Ginger Wine Ninebark.
Children's Rotunda
In addition to inviting pollinators with the new plantings the beds near the Children's area will soon feature flower-shaped musical charms. Each flower will feature a distinct musical chord when the petals are struck. 

Bayton Outdoor Space
An inviting new outdoor space
Now under construction the Bayton Outdoor Space will feature a distinctive moon gate being designed and built by McHenry County College welding students, stone bench seating, an expanded paver seat wall, a water feature, and flowing grasses. This space is designed to invite gathering, reflection, and celebration and is named in honor of Rosemary Bayton.
 
Coming in 2026
Nature Walkway and Storywalk®
In the spring of 2026, the currently undeveloped ground on the northside of the building will be transformed into immersive native woodland garden with sedges and prairie plants that will invite young and old to explore a natural path and StoryWalk®.
 
Support Prairie Roots
Through the Prairie Roots Project, we are transforming our library’s outdoor spaces into vibrant, sustainable landscapes that restore native habitat, support pollinator health, and create interactive spaces for all ages and abilities.
DONATE
Click the link to donate to support the Prairie Roots project through the Friends of Woodstock Public Library's Give Lively
Prairie Roots campaign.
Prairie Roots Donation Opportunities
 
Moon Gate - $20,000
A custom-designed moon gate: created by McHenry County College welding students
and crafted from weathered Cor-Ten steel the moon gate will form the
sculptural entryway to the Bayton Space.
 
Musical Flower Chimes - $10,000
Outdoor musical flower chimes: interactive instruments will be placed near the
children’s area and pollinator garden, inviting play while connecting young visitors
to nature through sound.
 
Sound Baffle - $10,000
Sound baffle wall: an acoustic feature that will provide an artistic backdrop
for outdoor programs while reducing noise for neighboring properties.
 
Educational Nature Signs - $7,500
Nature signs: informative markers placed in the planting beds to educate visitors
about native plants and their role in a healthy ecosystem.
 
Stone Bollards - $5,000-10,000
Stone bollard benches: crafted from native stone, will serve both as safety features and
functional benches, blending seamlessly into the Prairie Roots design.
 
Additional recognition opportunities are available, including select naming options. Please contact Laura Cullotta for more information.
 
Woodstock Public Library
414 W Judd Street, Woodstock, Illinois 60098
815.338.0542
https://www.woodstockpubliclibrary.org/library