Individual forest preserve master plans were identified as an important initiative to undertake in the 2019 Districtwide Master Plan. Completing master plans for each preserve will improve the quality of all future projects in the preserves being planned, and will ensure support from the public, the District’s Board of Commissioners, and staff for all proposed improvements. These master plans will increase grant opportunities, assist with the budget process, as well as help prioritize and phase potential work.

The master planning process can be broken down into five overall phases: information gathering, analysis & goal development, master plan development, plan review & refinement, and final plan delivery. Once complete, the preserve master plans will be a document, complete with graphic plans and cost estimates for all proposed improvements. These plans will be used as a guide for future project development but will not be considered final construction plans. 

Status: In Progress

Projected Timeline: The Master Planning process for Herrick Lake began in November of 2024. A draft master plan will be available for Board, staff, and public viewing and input, anticipated for mid summer 2025. Final master plan delivery is currently anticipated for late summer or fall of 2025.

Recent Activities: The information gathering phase of the planning process is nearing completion, with site visits, inventory mapping, and planning document reviews already finalized. Stakeholder input meetings with staff and Board of Commissioners have also been completed.

Next Steps: A public input meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. at the Forest Preserve District headquarters in Danada. In addition, a public survey is available to complement the meeting and will remain open until May 9.

Links

Herrick Lake Forest Preserve

Public Survey

Questions or Comments?

Contact Preserve Project Manager Matt Adams at 630-871-6424 or madams@dupageforest.org