July 18 LWVCC Food for Thought Luncheon
Superintendent Randall’s Message:
“Come Out to Enjoy the Cook County Forest Preserves. I am excited about what we are doing! No other big city has this!”
The enthusiasm and pride of Arnold Randall, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County was both apparent and infectious when he spoke at the Food for Thought luncheon sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Cook County on July 18. It is clear that he loves his work!
Highlights of his remarks:
***One of his greatest challenges is getting Chicago residents to make use of their many facilities, in part as a means to a healthier life style. The Preserves partnered with Northwestern on a study that found that people who walk through the Forest Preserves lower their blood pressure at a greater rate than those who walk on suburban sidewalks.
***As part of its Centennial Celebration, the leadership of the Preserves completed a long-range plan, “The Next Century Plan.” Among its priorities is to eliminate the invasive, non-native plants. In response to a question from Chicago League member Margaret Herring about whether the Preserves is planting new trees in anticipation of warmer weather due to climate change, Superintendent Randall told the group that there is no plan for planting any new trees.
***Superintendent Randall highlighted several recent successes, including the restoration of Eggers Grove in Chicago and the Greater Maywood Paddling Program in Maywood. The latter is a partnership with the Maywood Public Library to provide kayaks and training, which brings in new users to the Preserves through the Library. The Forest Preserves has also partnered with the Field Museum to help restore Beaubien Woods on Chicago’s south side near Altgeld Gardens.
“Come Out to Enjoy the Cook County Forest Preserves. I am excited about what we are doing! No other big city has this!”
The enthusiasm and pride of Arnold Randall, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County was both apparent and infectious when he spoke at the Food for Thought luncheon sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Cook County on July 18. It is clear that he loves his work!
Highlights of his remarks:
***One of his greatest challenges is getting Chicago residents to make use of their many facilities, in part as a means to a healthier life style. The Preserves partnered with Northwestern on a study that found that people who walk through the Forest Preserves lower their blood pressure at a greater rate than those who walk on suburban sidewalks.
***As part of its Centennial Celebration, the leadership of the Preserves completed a long-range plan, “The Next Century Plan.” Among its priorities is to eliminate the invasive, non-native plants. In response to a question from Chicago League member Margaret Herring about whether the Preserves is planting new trees in anticipation of warmer weather due to climate change, Superintendent Randall told the group that there is no plan for planting any new trees.
***Superintendent Randall highlighted several recent successes, including the restoration of Eggers Grove in Chicago and the Greater Maywood Paddling Program in Maywood. The latter is a partnership with the Maywood Public Library to provide kayaks and training, which brings in new users to the Preserves through the Library. The Forest Preserves has also partnered with the Field Museum to help restore Beaubien Woods on Chicago’s south side near Altgeld Gardens.
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Cook County Forest Preserves District has an annual budget of $469 million, and its portion of a County resident’s property tax bill is less than 1%. The Superintendent said that leadership is considering an increase in its annual tax levy by seeking approval through a referendum.
For more information about the Forest Preserves of Cook County, LWVCC Observer Reports of Forest Preserves Board and Committee meetings “Food for Thought” is a series of luncheons presented by the League of Women Voters of Cook County, featuring speakers on different aspects of the governments and services of Cook County, Cook County Health, the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. |
Cook County Forest Preserves Fast Facts
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Upcoming Event
Criminal Justice Reform - Cook County Initiatives
A Public Forum
Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Park/River Forest
Wednesday, September 18, 7pm
Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. Oak Park
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