GROWING CONSENSUS SUPPORTS OPEN SPACE

THE WILL COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK

The Network has advocated for the preservation of an historic woods in Joliet Township since the early 1980s. The woods are roughly bounded by Brandon on the East, Laraway on the South and Patterson Roads on the West and North.

The woods stands much as it did when Father Marquette and Louis Joliet viewed its beauty from Mound Joliet as they explored the Des Plaines River Valley. The woods is majestic with mature oak, hickory and walnut trees.

The woods is owned by some of Will County’s largest industrial leaders. A major section is owned by ComEd. The Network has made an official request to ComEd for their help in preserving the woods. ComEd officials have visited the site on June 9 with the Network and will consider ways the woods can be preserved, including a possible donation or lease to the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

Other portions of the woods are owned by Gallagher Asphalt, and CenterPoint Properties, and leased to Midwest Gen.

The Network met with both the director of the Forest Preserve District and President Cory Singer last week. While the forest preserve has no money to acquire the woods, Mr. Singer told the group that the Forest Preserve would happily accept a donation of clean land, and would be able to manage the property.

That is a huge step forward, and one the Network applauds, as it gives a vehicle for the woods to be opened for public access and enjoyment. There is growing community support for the project:

The Laraway School Board officially voted to support a partnership that would see the woods preserved and provide a place for Laraway School children to not only enjoy the outdoors, but also have a place for environmental studies. Laraway School is undeniably impacted by the CenterPoint proposal.

On June 10, the Will County Farm Bureau passed a resolution that reads: “The Will County Farm Bureau supports the setting aside of open space to buffer or mitigate the effects of industrial developments on the surrounding community.”

Joliet Township unanimously voted to support the preservation of the historic woods as it offers township residents unique opportunities for open space and recreation. Joliet Township wrote in full support of this project noting the need to “move forward to protect this open space in face of the rapid growth and development in our area.”Nearby, Waste Management already has a formal agreement with the county that will see the opportunity for the Forest Preserve to accept several hundred acres of wooded land on the bluffs along the DesPlaines River. In combination with the historic woods, the acreage will be a gift future generations will enjoy for years to come.

 There is a growing community vision for what can be accomplished when the community, the churches, the schools, government –and industry–work together to explore the possibilities!  

 

 

 

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