Projects Planned

2019 Master Plan

Districtwide — Initiatives

The initiatives on this page were identified in the Forest Preserve District’s 2019 Master Plan (PDF), developed through a two-year process of resource assessment, benchmarking, and public input. While many of the plan’s certified projects are already in progress or completed, these initiatives have yet to get underway.

Planned Initiatives

The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1992. That same year the Forest Preserve District created its ADA transition plan. Since then, the agency has made many improvements as regulated under the act, but it should now reevaluate sites and buildings to confirm compliance with the act and identify areas for improvement.

The Forest Preserve District has numerous structures with potentially significant cultural value. To guide any future protections, the Forest Preserve District needs to develop a plan to identify these structures; the goals for their operation and preservation; potential partnerships; and funding sources. It should take into consideration current or potential partnerships for sites such as the Danada House, Danada Model Farm, Graue Mill, Frederick Graue House and Greene Farm Barn. Additionally, it should update its policy for the management of historic and cultural resources.

Many quality nature and learning experiences start at the Forest Preserve District’s six education centers: Danada Equestrian Center, Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, Kline Creek Farm, Mayslake Peabody Estate, St. James Farm and Willowbrook Wildlife Center. Most master plans for theses sites are over 10 years old; some are much older. All six should be refreshed to evaluate changes and address new issues and challenges.

The Forest Preserve District is partnering with DuPage County and Glen Ellyn to evaluate the feasibility of adding a segment of the East Branch DuPage River Trail from Churchill Woods to Hidden Lake. Pending the completion of a feasibility study, these partnering agencies will need to arrange for engineering and agreements so they can move forward with funding, construction and plans for long-term maintenance.

The Forest Preserve District contains hundreds of buildings and other structures. It needs to develop a comprehensive plan to identify conditions, the status of regular or
deferred maintenance, and plans for the continued routine maintenance or revitalization of principal structures. This
will ensure continued efficient operations and delivery of services. Establishing an infrastructure management funding
mechanism based on the Sherman-Dergis formula should be explored.

Environmental Controls and

Monitoring, Habitat Development,

and Cultural and Recreational Uses

The Forest Preserve District owns and stewards a number of closed landfills and other sites affected by the nondiscriminatory disposal or release of waste and potentially harmful materials by former landowners. A principal responsibility of the Forest Preserve District is to maintain these lands to protect and conserve human health and the natural environment.

Although these lands pose risks, when carefully planned they also offer opportunities for valuable natural habitat as well as recreational and cultural uses. However, the most recent end-use plans are over 20 years old and include features
incompatible with modern systems required for the sites’ long-term care.

It’s imperative that the Forest Preserve District update its end-use plans to cement its commitment to the enduring
operation, maintenance and monitoring of these sites and to identify the most appropriate secondary uses, such as natural habitat or compatible recreational space. Plans should also identify long-term costs and funding.

With the ongoing consolidation and reorganization of site operations staff, the Forest Preserve District should develop a
plan to identify surpluses or deficiencies in office, work and equipment-storage spaces and make appropriate adjustments to meet future operational needs.