Beginning July 1st, 2010, the Chippily Woods field (off of Sunset Ridge Road in Northbrook) has been added back into the Forest Preserve District mowing rotation. The field will be mowed and cleared of debris, and will continue to be maintained throughout the mowing season.

For decades, Chippily Woods was mowed every ten to fourteen days and was enjoyed as an open field by area residents who valued the land as a space for recreation and the active enjoyment of nature. Last year, Chippily Woods was included in the Forest Preserve District’s mowing reduction program, designed to encourage the growth of more natural areas and keep in line with the Forest Preserve District’s mission to protect and preserve land.

Following the field’s inclusion in the mowing reduction program, several residents contacted both our office and the Village of Northbrook to express concerns, not just about the availability of open land, but also in regard to the growing presence of coyotes in Chippily Woods, close to Sunset Ridge Road.

Although in the summer of 2009, an agreement was reached to increase the mowing of a path near Sunset Ridge, and to clear an area to reach the walking paths in the Forest Preserve, concerns about increased wildlife activity came to a head in the past month. Commissioner Goslin met with officials and staff from the Village of Northbrook to discuss neighbors’ concerns.

Commissioner Goslin supports the Forest Preserve District’s mission to protect and preserve natural lands, but the Chippily Woods field is not a natural prairie—it is open land located very close to many residential properties. Aside from the reasonable desire for residents to have an open field for recreation, the serious concerns about rising coyote presence in the field, so near to neighboring homes, and general lack of upkeep made it clear that Chippily Woods was not an appropriate location to continue to be part of the FPD mowing reduction program.

Commissioner Goslin spoke with several members of the Forest Preserve District staff as well as Superintendent Bylina both to better understand the mowing reduction program and help convey and clarify the concerns of area residents. As a result of these discussions, Chippily Woods has been added back into the maintenance mowing schedule, and will be continue to be maintained throughout the mowing season.

Commissioner Goslin strongly believes that part of running an effective and responsive government is a “good neighbor” policy with municipalities and citizens of Cook County. Many forest preserves in Cook County are located very close to residential neighborhoods, the residents of which often act as unofficial guardians of the area–helping keep the preserves clean and safe. Maintaining an open dialogue and positive relationship with such neighbors will help ensure a bright future for the Forest Preserve District and the citizens who cherish it.