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PROPOSED LAND PURCHASE WOULD CREATE NEW PRESERVE NAMED PINE DUNES
MAY 12, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
MAY 12, 2005
CONTACT:
Tom Hahn, Executive Director, 847-367-6640 or 847-968-3338,
thahn@co.lake.il.us
PROPOSED LAND PURCHASE WOULD CREATE NEW PRESERVE NAMED PINE DUNES
At their May 12 meeting, the Lake County Forest Preserves' Land
Preservation and Acquisition Committee approved the proposed purchase of
40 acres near Antioch for $1,320,000 as an addition to the DuTemple
property. The Committee also proposed to combine three recently acquired
and adjoining properties to create one new Forest Preserve and to name
it Pine Dunes.
The proposed 40-acre purchase, known as the Hayden property, is an
important expansion of the adjoining 183-acre DuTemple land (153-acre
DuTemple property purchased in October 2004 and 30-acre Southern
Addition to DuTemple purchased in February 2005). When combined, these
three properties would create Pine Dunes, a new 223-acre Forest Preserve
in north central Lake County near Antioch, an area of rapid development
and population growth. The population of the North Central Planning
Area, where the newly-named Pine Dunes is located, is projected to grow
more than 26 percent by 2020.
The Hayden property is located in Newport Township on Hunt Club Road
north of Edwards Road. Illinois Route 173 is south of the property and
Interstate 94 is to the east. The Hayden property adjoins the Southern
Addition to DuTemple along a 1,300-foot boundary. Its location provides
the added benefit of public road access to the new Preserve.
"I am very excited about this proposed land buy and the opportunity to
create a large, new Forest Preserve in one of the fastest growing areas
of our county," said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President of the Lake
County Forest Preserves. "The variety of natural resources offers a
true north woods experience and a great opportunity for seeing wildlife
and enjoying the outdoors. In a Preserve of this size with good road
access and scenic views, we could create a spectacular trail system."
The Hayden parcel features gently rolling topography and was home to a
former Christmas tree farm. The property has two small ponds, scattered
wetlands and upland timber. The wetlands are an extension of Advanced
Identification (ADID) wetlands found on the DuTemple and Southern
Addition properties. Acquiring this property now would maintain the
integrity of this valuable wetland complex that totals 40 acres. The
uplands consist of conifer and deciduous timber that surround open
meadows and former Christmas tree areas.
This property is an ecologic and functional extension of the DuTemple
property, which was listed as a "Priority One Site" by the Lake
County Forest Preserves. This priority ranking recognizes that the
site's ecological value in its current condition is good. Proper
restoration could enhance wildlife habitat throughout the Preserve and
revitalize the savanna, wetland and upland complex rare in Lake County
and in the entire Chicago region.
Next Steps in Approval Process
The proposed acquisition will now be sent to the Forest Preserve
Finance and Administrative Committee on Friday, May 13, and to the Board
of Commissioners for consideration at their May 20 meeting. If approved,
the Hayden property would increase the number of acquisitions made using
funds from the successful, voter-approved November 2000 referendum to 39
and bring the total acres owned or managed as Forest Preserves in Lake
County to approximately 25,268.
The 40-acre Hayden parcel also would meet many of the land acquisition
goals set forward in successful Forest Preserve bond referenda to
protect valuable natural resources, provide outdoor recreation
opportunities, protect against flooding, and preserve new large sites.
About the Lake County Forest Preserves
We currently manage 25,228 acres of land and offer innovative
educational, recreational and cultural opportunities for all ages.
Visitors enjoy nearly 112 miles of trail for a variety of outdoor
recreation uses, fishing ponds and lakes, public access to the Fox
River, award-winning nature and history education programs and events,
and four public golf courses. Facilities of special interest include
Independence Grove near Libertyville, Ryerson Conservation Area near
Deerfield, Lake County Discovery Museum near Wauconda, Greenbelt
Cultural Center near Waukegan, and three golf courses (Brae Loch near
Grayslake, Countryside near Mundelein and ThunderHawk near Beach Park).
Additional Information: www.LCFPD.org
For a program calendar or additional information about your Lake County
Forest Preserves, call 847-367-6640 and request a free copy of the
Horizons quarterly newsletter or visit on-line at www.LCFPD.org.
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