Three new Forest Preserves were created and an existing Preserve was expanded in record land buys approved by the Lake County Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, January 15.
To view a PowerPoint presentation that includes detailed information, maps and photos of the purchases click here.
The Board approved purchasing and creating a new 261-acre Forest Preserve in Antioch Township for $14,600,000 ($55,938 per acre); a new 119-acre Forest Preserve in Ela Township for $5,400,000 ($45,378 per acre); and a new 243-acre Forest Preserve in Wauconda Township along with a 75-acre addition to Singing Hills Forest Preserve for $21,893,700 ($68,848 per acre).
When combined, the purchases total 698 acres and approximately $41,893,700. When completed, the new Preserves will bring the District’s total land holdings to more than 26,000 acres.
“To be able to preserve nearly 700 acres in one day and to create three new Forest Preserves in three different areas of the county is an incredible opportunity. Present and future residents, as well as our wildlife, will benefit from the protection of these green spaces in three of the county’s fastest growing communities,” said Bonnie Thomson Carter, President, Lake County Forest Preserves. “Saving large refuges is our mission. These purchases offer us a chance to protect and restore sensitive natural communities and to provide additional open space for outdoor recreation and nature education.”
Antioch Purchase
This new Forest Preserve is located on the west side of Route 45, just north of Route 173 in Antioch Township. One of the most significant features of this 261-acre parcel is its connection to the 925-acre state-protected Redwing Slough Natural Area, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Redwing Slough provides significant habitat for wetland and grassland birds. It consists mostly of lowlands with very little surrounding upland habitat. This purchase will provide for needed upland habitat and offer a natural buffer along the slough’s eastern border.
Consisting primarily of rolling agricultural lands, the property also has farm buildings and a home, a small woodland area and several small farmed wetlands. It is located in the Mill Creek watershed that drains to the Des Plaines River. Some wetlands along the property’s western border are associated with the Advanced Identification (ADID) wetland that covers all of Redwing Slough and is best noted for its biological values and its water quality. The property also offers opportunity for future expansions and connections to other area Forest Preserves and neighboring trails.
The site provides exceptional foraging, nesting and breeding habitat for wetland and grassland birds. In addition, several prairie streams that drain toward Redwing Slough are scattered throughout the property and could benefit from restoration efforts. These narrow bands of wet soils form depressions in the landscape that channel surface water and are dominated by sedge meadow and wet prairie natural communities. They are considered high-priority wetlands by regional groups like Chicago Wilderness and the Wetland Conservation Strategy.
Kildeer Purchase
Located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Route 22 and Kruger Road in Ela Township in the Village of Kildeer, this new 119-acre Preserve sits just to the west of the 144-acre Heron Creek Forest Preserve. The site offers a large marsh, protects valuable natural resources and preserves sensitive wetlands.
As part of the acquisition, the Lake County Forest Preserves would receive a temporary easement to use an additional 9.5 acres of land owned by the seller, Residential Land Fund, for up to four years. It will expire when the easement area is dedicated to the Illinois Department of Transportation or the Lake County Division of Transportation for roadway expansion. The easement adjoins the new Preserve and Heron Creek.
Wauconda Township Purchase
In Wauconda Township, two adjacent parcels combine to create a substantial new 243-acre Forest Preserve situated between Route 120 and Route 60 and bordered on the east by Wilson Road. The two parcels consist of a 105-acre site and a 138-acre site. In addition to the new Preserve, a 75-acre parcel located south of Route 60 near Fish Lake Road will be added to Singing Hills Forest Preserve expanding this Preserve to 685 acres.
The property contains notable natural and human history. Though not included as part of the acquisition, a historic cemetery dating back to 1847 is located within the Preserve. Early land owners included George Vasey and Robert Paddock. Vasey immigrated from England in 1854 and farmed the land. His cousin was Dr. George Vasey, a botanist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (1872-1893). Paddock emigrated from Vermont to Lake County in the 1850s and raised Merino sheep on the land. Most recently it was used as a hunt club, and has benefited from extensive conservation plantings done by the current owner. More than 52,000 tree seedlings were planted throughout the property.
The most significant natural feature includes several glacial kettle wetlands surrounded by gently rising uplands that provide some scenic vistas. The wetlands support marsh, wet prairie and sedge meadow communities and they offer good potential for wetland restoration and improved breeding grounds for waterfowl.
One of the site’s wetlands is rated as an ADID wetland, the highest wetland classification in Lake County. Adjacent to the ADID wetland on the western edge of the property is an oak and hickory savanna.
The purchases meet many of the Lake County Forest Preserves adopted land acquisition goals, including protecting wildlife habitat, preserving native wetlands, adding to existing preserves, protecting against flooding and improving water quality. They also provide for future trail connections to neighboring communities, regional trail systems like the Millennium Trail and to other area Forest Preserves.
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