News Briefs: Plaza del Lago’s newest; Sacred Heart School’s recognition; Wilmette Park District’s green fleet

Continuing the shopping center’s resurgence, a new shop opened its doors on Sept. 24 in Plaza del Lago, 1515 Sheridan Road, in Wilmette.

Diptyque is a Parisian fragrance boutique known for its high-end candles and luxury perfumes and skin-care products.

Diptyque was founded in Paris in 1961 and now has locations across the United States, including in Chicago neighborhood, Wicker Park. The Wilmette location is the brand’s second in Chicagoland.

The Plaza del Lago store is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays.

Sacred Heart School is Apple Distinguished School

Sacred Heart School in Winnetka announced last week that it was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2026-2029 program term.

According to a release from Sacred Heart, schools apply and are selected for this distinction based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning.

Apple Distinguished Schools reportedly “are centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments,” the release says.

Wilmette Park District Named One of North America’s Top 50 Green Fleets

Wilmette Park District’s stable of vehicles of equipment, which has evolved to meet eco-friendly standards, recently earned national recognition.

The Wilmette Park District was ranked No. 47 in the NAFA Fleet Management Association’s 2026 Green Fleet Awards, a program that honors government and commercial fleets that demonstrate leadership in sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Criteria considered in the program reportedly include fleet composition, fuel use and emissions, sustainability achievements, policies and planning, fuel-saving technologies, and employee engagement.

According to a release from the Wilmette Park District, the district only had one green vehicle four years ago and now about half of its fleet — “including vehicles, maintenance equipment and smaller tools” — are electric, hybrid or battery powered.

The park district’s green fleet includes an electric service van, three hybrid vehicles (with a fourth on the way), 70 electric golf cars and five electric mowers.

The release says the park district is responsible for 300 acres of parkland and 250,000 square feet of facilities and in the past year has reduced fuel consumption by approximately 400 gallons.

The park district has also reportedly invested in EV charging infrastructure to support its electric fleet and approximately 90% of park district lighting is LED.

“The goal is not immediate transformation of the entire fleet. Instead, the Park District aims to make thoughtful investments as replacements are needed, adopt technologies that are operationally and financially sound, and continue to reduce the environmental impact of maintaining Wilmette’s parks and facilities,” the release says.

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