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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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Cook County Forest Preserve Board Approves 2018 Tax Levy

2/12/2018

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - February 8, 2018

What did the Board decide?

The Board approved the 2018 Tax Levy of $94,415,003
The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement to supply a grant of $97,752 for Mobile Data Terminals for their law enforcement. Monies are from Homeland Security.
The Board approved license for water main maintenance with Oakton Community College, and license for Botanic Garden to extend fencing along Skokie River for deer prevention.
The Board approved partnership agreement with Friends of the Forest Preserves for Conservation Corps internship program.

What else did the Board discuss or refer to committee?

The Board approved the calendar of events for 2/8/18 to 3/13/18.
The Board approved the Real Estate, Rules, and Finance Committee Meeting recommendations.

Other Comments or Observations

Commissioner Simms, Illinois Counties Association, presented the FP District a donation of a scholarship check of $401,00, which will be used for the intern program.
Deer Grove, where Camp Reinberg is located, was the first acquisition of the CC Forest Preserve. Peter Reinberg was the first Forest Preserve Board President.

Observer - Peggy Kell Meeting Length - 47 minutes

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Cook County Creates New Forest Preserve Near King's Grove

12/15/2017

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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

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Cook County Creates New Forest Preserve Near St. Mihiel Woods East in Tinley Park

11/22/2017

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - November 14, 2017
Significant Decisions Made:

The Board adopted an ordinance to purchase several parcels of land near St. Mihiel Woods East in District 6 and also Santa Maria Convent in unincorporated Bremen Township.
The Board approved a resolution to apply for a grant of $440,000 from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program to improve two Forest Preserves located in south Cook County - Sand Ridge/Shabbona/Green Lake Campus near Calumet City and Eggers Grove in Chicago. The Forest Preserve committed to spend $110,000, if the grant is approved.

Significant Topics Discussed and/or Referred to Committee:

The Forest Preserve recently received an award for excellence in ecological restoration from Chicago Wilderness for its management of the Poplar Creek Prairie in the Carl Hanson/Poplar Creek Forest Preserve in Hoffman Estates.
The 2017 Annual Report of the Cook County Forest Preserve Foundation was presented in a video and a brochure (the brochure was not made available to the public). The Foundation was started in 2012 and, since its inception, it has made over $980,000 in grants. One program which it funds provides funds for young people to be hired during the summer as conservation interns in the Forest Preserves. For more information on the Cook County Forest Preserve Foundation click here.

Observer - Elizabeth Kinney Meeting Length: 1 1/2 hours

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Cook County Forest Preserve Honors Dr. George B. Rabb

11/21/2017

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Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - October 24, 2017

Honoring Dr. Rabb:
The Board adopted a resolution in memory of Dr. George B. Rabb, PhD., former president and president emeritus of the Chicago Zoological Society. Dr. Rabb died on July 27, 2017 after a distinguished career. Much of his work was at the Brookfield Zoo where he developed innovative approaches to the science of animal care and welfare, education and conservation. Several commissioners spoke about the work of Dr. Rabb in glowing terms.

Significant Decisions Made:

The Board approved an amendment to its agreement with the Chicago Botanic Garden regarding the plants of concern program which identifies and monitors rare plant species.
The Board approved an agreement with Park Ridge regarding right of entry onto Forest Preserve property to perform storm water outflow maintenance and improvements. The work would improve water flow and mitigate storm water related issues throughout the Preserve and in adjacent communities.
The Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine for wild life pathology and diagnostic services.
The Board approved an amended slate of committee, Chair and Vice Chair assignments.

Significant Topics Discussed and/or Referred to Committee:

The FY 2018 Executive Budget was received and referred to the Finance Committee.
A proposed ordinance on parking regulations was referred to the Finance Committee.

Other Observations:

At the end of the agenda was a comprehensive list of upcoming events in the Forest Preserve.

Observer - Elizabeth Kinney Meeting Length: 2 hours

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Cook County Forest Preserve Board Approves Continued Farming on Inactive Land

9/19/2017

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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

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

Cook County Forest Preserve Board Approves 2018 Tax Levy

Cook County Creates New Forest Preserve Near King's Grove

Cook County Creates New Forest Preserve Near St. Mihiel Woods East in Tinley Park

Cook County Forest Preserve Honors Dr. George B. Rabb

Cook County Forest Preserve Board Approves Continued Farming on Inactive Land

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