Time To Cut Up That Pie

Prior to voting to put the referendum on the ballot, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Commission spent a lot of time establishing a plan for which parcels we should try to purchase. We came up with $100 million worth of properties from which to pick. We figured that we might not get some of the properties. Or that the price may be too high for others. On the plus side, there is always the chance that we might get a grant or donation to leverage the money we have. In any case, we have a list of properties that we will in the near future attempt to obtain.

"But you have $68 million to buy land with!"

Up till now, I have had 4 requests to buy land with the referendum money to essentially stop a proposed development. Of course, none of these are on our list. Essentially, none of these properties will help us to accomplish our mission. Nor will they improve our Preserves. Some of these might obtain some District participation to help find a workable solution. Mostly with in kind services. However, our job is not to solve other's development problems.

So what is the intention of the Commission? Basically, it is to improve the quality of our Preserves. Read this on our website 'The Forest Preserve District will allocate the monies toward its plan to acquire 500 to 600 acres of land, restore native prairie, wetland and forest habitats and construct and improve trails and recreational areas. Lands planned for purchase will enlarge and connect existing forest preserves and other open space and contain high-quality natural habitats. Trail-improvement plans include segments to expand and connect regional trails along the West Branch of the DuPage River and Salt Creek.'