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| Forest board leafs through proposals for new preserve | |
| Oct 24, 2007 | |
| Kathy Cichon, Staff Writer kcichon@scn1.com | |
| Naperville Sun | |
| Pertains to Norton Creek, Wayne | |
| Including a scenic overlook, plans for the new Dunham Forest Preserve came into clear view Tuesday as Forest Preserve District of DuPage County staff outlined proposed changes to the site. Details were presented during the forest district's planning session, with commissioners getting a look at the site's master plan. The 378-acre parcel is in unincorporated DuPage County near the village of Wayne. "The main objective of the project would be to restore Norton Creek to its natural meander," said Kevin Horsfall, landscape architect. Plans also call for adding a trail connecting to the Illinois Prairie Path and Cornerstone Lake Park that accommodates pedestrians, bikes and equestrians. A separate pedestrian/equestrian-only trail also is proposed. A scenic overlook and picnic tables are planned, too. The forest preserve is bordered by Army Trail Road to the north, Union Pacific railroad tracks to the east, and Cornerstone Lakes and Honey Hill subdivisions to the south and west. The district purchased the Dunham preserve in January 2006 for $25 million. The land was paid for with the funds gained through the 2005 refinancing of existing bonds. Commissioners will provide feedback to staff, and a final draft of the plan - along with cost and phase estimates - will be presented to them in the future. Commissioner Carl Schultz of Aurora called the plan a wonderful opportunity. "It really gets to what our mission is - education and restoration and conservation," Schultz said. With 86 percent of the preserve currently in agricultural production, the site would be returned to natural wetlands, mesic prairie and savannah, officials said. Opportunities for interpretation of the site are available, including marking the site as part of the 2,000-acre Oaklawn Farm. The farm was owned by Mark Dunham, an early pioneer in Wayne and world-renowned breeder of Percheron draft horses. The district also is considering relocating Wayne Train Depot to the preserve. Forest district President D. "Dewey" Pierotti Jr. said the preserve is "going to be like a mini-park" and that it offers an all-inclusive use of the property. He complimented district staff on their work over the past year as they worked with residents to research and design the plan. The plans also were praised by residents who spoke at the meeting. Art Richardson said he and other neighbors are "very, very pleased." |
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