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| Township asks voters for new trails | |
| Oct 16, 2008 | |
| Kim Smith, Staff Writer ksmith@scn1.com | |
| Herald News | |
| Pertains to Forked Creek, Prairie Creek, Green Garden, Monee, Frankfort, Manhattan | |
| By KIM SMITH ksmith@scn1.com GREEN GARDEN TOWNSHIP -- This referendum simply asks voters whether or not they want the township board to adopt and begin a plan to build a trail system. Bill Wagner, Green Garden Township supervisor, said passing the referendum does not come with a cost at this time. "The biggest fear people have is that we would be using our powers of eminent domain to obtain property," Wagner said. "It is the township board's long-standing agreement not to get the property this way. If the referendum passes, it spells out to future developers a requirement that they dedicate certain properties for a trail system." What township officials have done is take a look at what trails are already in the area and where future trails are plotted. Highlights of the plan include a multiuse public access trail throughout the township known as the Green Garden Trail, private trails located within subdivisions known as the Green Garden Paths and the Green Garden Trail Connections, which identifies parcels needed to provide the links. Wagner said there are no sidewalks in the rural 36-square-mile township sandwiched between the villages of Manhattan and Monee. "It would be nice for our children to be able to bike safely without having to go into the streets," Wagner said. "We also have a lot of horse people living here who would love to find a way to link into the Midewin system." The trail system would be available for use by nonmotorized transportation, such as cyclists, walkers, joggers, cross country skiers and dog-sledders. There will be designated areas for equestrian use. If the referendum passes, the township would also be able to apply for state and federal grants for funding to purchase properties and to develop the system. "When the system is developed we may need to create a township park district to maintain the trails, but that is down the road a few years," Wagner said. Promoters of the plan say the trail system will increase property values, enhance the character of the community, preserves greenways, improves public health, facilitates alternate transportation, increases safety for trail users, provides energy savings and preserves traditional land uses while experiencing new and future developments. Wagner said so far the most adamant opposition to the plan has come from a man who did not want the trail in his back yard. There is an open house with informational tables and opportunities to speak with Diane Banta of the National Park Service on the benefit of trails. The meeting is 7-9 p.m. today at the Green Garden Elementary School, 9526 W. 255th St. in Frankfort. The Green Garden Trail Committee meets the fourth Monday of each month at the Town Hall, 10925 W. Bruns Road in Monee. More information is available at www.greengardentownship.org. |
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