Cook County Forest Preserves District Purchases More Land

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting
April 8, 2025

Items of Interest:

• The Commissioners approved the purchase of 74.6 acres of land in South Barrington near the Paul Douglas Preserve to establish a new Forest Preserve with closing costs of $3.5M.  It was discussed that despite this purchase in one of Cook County’s wealthier neighborhoods that the Cook County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD) is actively continuing the search for additional lands in the underserved areas of Cook County. 
• Laurel Ross, who serves on the CCFPD Conservation and Policy Council spoke to update the Board on current restoration work and to thank the Commissioners for their on-goiing support for the CCFPD.
• During the Finance Committee meeting, the expansion of concessions and vendors was discussed. There is work being done to expand the permits for vendors to increase the experiences of visitors to the Forest Preserves. An example of that will be to bring in more food trucks to the campgrounds within the Forest Preserves. The permits with REI to conduct classes are over and will be replaced with new vendors in the future. 
• Commissioner Lowry stepped over to say to the Cook County League of Women Voter's observer that on behalf of the commissioners he thanked the LWVCC for their support of continuing transparency and appreciates our attending the meetings.

:Observer - Deborah Halpern