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Forest Preserve District Board of Cook County Approves Agenda Items in Record Time

4/30/2018

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting - April 24, 2018

What did the Board decide?
Approved the following:

Partnerships with various groups for habitat volunteer work
A contract for drug testing
A contract for satisfaction surveys
Renewal of a contract for media services
Contract amendments for landscaping, and professional services

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?
There were multiple committee meetings before the scheduled Board meeting including Workman’s Compensation, Rules, Finance, Real Estate (for a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District license renewal request for a pumping station) and Finance Subcommittee on Litigation.

Other Observations:
The Board meeting actually started 45 minutes late due to the length of the Consent Calendar Meeting of the Cook County Board which included resolutions and awards for a variety of groups (the Loyola Mens Basketball team, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Service Day, Autism Awareness Month, Westchester Food Pantry etc.) This was then followed by the quick moving committee meetings listed above.

Observer - Peggy Kell Meeting Length - 30 minutes

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Health Benefits of Walking in the Forest Preserves Highlighted at Board Meeting

4/9/2018

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Cook County Forest Preserve District (FPD) Board Meeting - March 13, 2018

What did the Board decide:

Acceptance of report from study conducted July, 2015-January, 2018 “ Walking Green: Developing an Evidence Base for Nature Prescription in Forest Preserve District of Cook County” A study partially funded by the Cook County FPD and by Northwestern University was conducted by Dr. Teresa Horton to compare health benefits of walking in a forest preserve property and on a suburban sidewalk. While health benefits of walking are widely recognized, the issue of whether where we walk matters needs further study. The purpose was to gather evidence that might provide data supporting nature prescription-in essence, a recommendation to spend time in nature. Her results indicate there is a greater benefit to perceived mood and perceived level of stress. This is part of an initiative to connect medical providers and use of forest preserves. The program Park Rx is currently under development with Swedish Covenant Hospital.
Mary Mix McDonald: Resolution to honor her life of public service. She served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, 1974-1994, the first Republican woman elected to the Cook County Board. Her service included the establishment of the Chicago Botanic Gardens and improving Cook County Hospital.
Friends of Chicago River: Resolution to honor their service as valued partners of the Forest Preserves and advocates for the Chicago River system. General Supt. Randall acknowledged their beneficial, meaningful projects for restoration and support of Chicago River policies, inspiring people of all ages to advocate for nature.
US Green Building Council LEED Platinum Certification: First such recognition for a Cook County FPD building. This was for the renovation of the Rolling Knolls Pavilion for exceptional energy efficiency and sustainability. Several other environmentally conscious projects are in progress, including one at the Chgo. Botanic Gardens.
Forest Preserve Foundation Executive Director thanked the Illinois Counties Officials Assoc for a gift of $401,000 for grants.
Bike and Roll Program will be expanded and upgraded to an unlocked system. More bikes will be available at more locations at a lower cost. An app is used.
Bike path connections - Several bike path connection projects are in process with approval for contract amendments. Several other amendments were approved regarding improvements in park facilities.

Of note:

Board Pres. Toni Preckwinke was invited by the MWRD to take a swim in the Chicago River which she did with the wetsuit they provided.
Mary Mix McDonald’s daughter found the following quote among her mom’s favorite clippings tucked under the glass on her dresser. “Care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and only object of good government.” Thomas Jefferson

Observer - Carolyn Cosentino Meeting Length: 1 hr. 18 min.

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Forest Preserve District Board of Cook County Approves Agenda Items in Record Time

Health Benefits of Walking in the Forest Preserves Highlighted at Board Meeting

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