At the Forest Preserve Real Estate Committee in September, the Village of Hinsdale submitted a proposal for a long-term lease of an isolated parcel of Forest Preserve land, Bemis Woods. This proposal provides for continued use of a portion of the land (known as Duncan Field) for athletic purposes, as well as some funding for restoration of the remaining acreage of Bemis Woods.
Today the FPD Board approved the continued discussion of Hinsdale's proposal with FPD staff. I do not support Hinsdale's plan in its present form, but I do support further discussions. Given the fact that the current proposal does not align with the District's land management policy, it seems unlikely negotiations will lead to an acceptable solution, but no harm will come from allowing the District to explore the possibility of a workable option that supports and enhances its preservation work. If at any point the Forest Preserve District concludes that the proposal will be inherently inconsistent with its land management policy, those discussions can end.
As a Forest Preserve District Commissioner, I take seriously my responsibility to ensure the District' mission to preserve and restore natural lands is upheld. Throughout my tenure as a Commissioner, as well as a former Chair of the FPD Real Estate Committee, I have continually turned down proposals by schools, municipalities and others for use of our precious preserves. I will continue to vote against any proposal regarding the use of FPD land that does not respect both the mission and land management policy of the District. |
