Residents have voice in MCCD's plans

Open space has been proven to lower stress, improve public health and contribute to a sense of community.

In addition, the natural areas of the McHenry County Conservation District also provide opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and canoeing. The recreational amenities found in conservation areas are more passive in nature and compliment, rather than compete with, local park district programs and parks.

As the county continues to grow, we hope to be able to offer more opportunities where residents can escape for a few hours to relax or recreate.

The board of trustees and staff at McHenry County Conservation District invite the public to share its thoughts and ideas on what types of recreational amenities they would like to see planned for present and future conservation sites.

First, there is a short on-line survey linked through the district's Web site at www.MCCDistrict.org.

In addition, three community workshops of four remain: Tonight at Algonquin Township offices in Crystal Lake; next Tuesday at the Glacial Park Conference Center in Ringwood; and Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake. The public is encouraged to share in the dialog during these informal focus groups.

Finally, the district will be conducting 500 random sample phone surveys of residents throughout the county the third week in October.

The data collected through these avenues will give the district a clearer picture on the recreational needs of the county, assist in future planning objectives and guide management decisions.

Bonnie Leahy

Board president

McHenry County Conservation District

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