Category: Farming

Cook County Creates New Forest Preserve Near King's Grove

12/15/2017

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting – December 12, 2017
Significant Decisions:

The Board approved an ordinance to create a forest preserve near King’s Grove in District 6. The board also accepted the donation of 1+ acres in Park Forest from the Land Conservancy of Will County that would add, and provide a buffer, to the District’s King’s Grove holdings.
The Board approved three ordinance amendments that update the District’s sexual harassment policies and procedures in compliance with the State of Illinois standards.
The Board approved its calendar of meetings for 2018, including three meetings to be held in the field (Feb 8, Mar 17, Jul 26).
The Board approved a 1-year renewable contract to conduct row crop farming at select sites that were historically used for agriculture prior to acquisition by the Preserves and are therefore not in an ecologically natural state. Crop farming prevents invasive plant species from taking over fallow land, and keeps the properties in manageable condition until a restoration project can take place at the site. The annual contract may be renewed up to 4 times at the discretion of the General Superintendent.

Other Actions:

The Board approved a 3-year partnership agreement with Trailbound Trips, a Cook County company that offers guided hiking and bicycling trips geared toward women audiences, while also educating them on restoration and conservation topics.
The Board also authorized entering into a new 7-year agreement with optional 3-year extension with the Oak Park Tennis Center to continue offering tennis related programs to youth and adults. The new agreement calls for an increase in financial compensation to the Preserves, plus an OPTC commitment of an annual $20,000 capital contribution to ensure that the tennis facility remains in good condition for the length of the agreement.

Observer – Pamela Calvert Meeting length: 1 hour

9/19/2017

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - September 12, 2017

Board Decisions:

Hay and road crop farming of land that the Forest Preserves is not actively maintaining was approved to continue.
IDOT was awarded an easement (17-0326).
A partnership was proposed and approved between the Friends of the Forest Preserves and the Forest Preserves (17-0306). Friends will be doing restoration work in the forest preserves.
The campground partnership that the Forest Preserves have established with Billy Casper has been very popular, and use of the forest preserves has significantly increased with Billy Casper’s administration of their programs.

Observer - Sarah Bury Meeting Length - 1 hour