State grant to fund creation of largest forest preserve in Kane

The Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve in Gilberts will become the largest preserve in Kane County following the pending purchase of a 75-acre land parcel.

Negotiations to buy the land follow the receipt of a $568,500 grant awarded to the Kane County Forest Preserve District by Gov. Pat Quinn during his final days in office. The grant is one of $26 million worth of grants funding 75 projects throughout the state.

Three of those projects are in Kane County.

In addition to the forest preserve grant, Aurora received a $400,000 grant to create an adventure playground in Phillips Park. And the Hampshire Township Park District received $375,000 to renovate and add facilities to Bruce Ream Park.

If successful in purchasing the land to the southwest of Freeman Kame-Meagher, the district would have a 1,340-acre preserve.

"Not only will expanding the preserve conserve a unique gravel-hill prairie that somehow survived decades of haying, it will give us a chance to expand and enhance wetlands in the Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve," said Drew Ullberg, the district's natural resources director.

The state funds come as part of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Program. A percentage of the state's real estate transfer tax funds the program.

Quinn said the grants will fund recreational opportunities throughout the state.

"Illinois' first-rate parks and recreation facilities are good for our families and our businesses," Quinn said. "By investing in our parks and providing communities with more opportunities for recreation, we can improve the quality of life for families while creating jobs and driving Illinois' economy forward."