DuPage farm plans May opening

St. James park plans soft opening

St. James Farm, one of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District's largest acquisitions, could open to the public on Memorial Day.

"It is our tentative definite opening weekend," district President Dewey Pierotti said Tuesday.

But before the 590-acre farm near Warrenville opens for visitors, a second guard residence likely will be added.

Forest preserve Police Chief Tom Wakolbinger said the second guard residence would be his "top priority" for the site, given all the property's assets.

Several forest preserve commissioners agreed with Wakolbinger's assessment.

So instead of having a large-scale ceremony, forest preserve officials are planning a "soft" opening.

"We don't want to rush in and make mistakes. We want to give this a lot of thought," district Executive Director Brent Manning said.

Rather than creating a daily or weekly schedule, Manning said, the farm likely would be "periodically open" during its first phase.

Part of the reason for periodic events is the need to work out the logistics of directing people on and off the farm and providing needed parking for large events.

Since vehicles would be parked on turf, Manning said, when the farm is open initially could depend on weather.

The opening also hinges on whether projects at the farm can be completed in time.

Commissioners Tuesday approved the removal of asbestos from some of the farm's buildings. Meanwhile, demolition work at the site is slated for mid-November.

Additional work on the grounds would need to be finished by spring to ensure a May 2008 opening.