Kane County might shuffle some campground spaces

The Kane County Forest Preserve is considering shuffling its campground spots -- expanding one campground site, closing one and opening another.

The preliminary plan presented to the county's campground subcommittee on Friday would close the Buffalo Park Forest Preserve campgrounds in Algonquin, expand the Paul Wolff campgrounds in the Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin, and add a campground at Grunwald Farm Forest Preserve in Blackberry Township.

After the heavy rains in August, the entire Buffalo Park camping area was under water, and it will likely flood again in the future, said Monica Meyers, forest preserve executive director.

Committee member Gerry Jones, a Democrat from Aurora, said he supported closing the Buffalo Park site.

"Why would we put more money into a site that we are absolutely, positively sure is going to flood?" he said.

The preserve could turn that area into a picnic and fishing spot, and then add 50 spots to the popular Paul Wolff campgrounds in Elgin, Meyers said.

Since the Bliss Woods campground in Sugar Grove closed in 2004, the forest preserve hasn't operated a campground in the southern part of the county.

That site had septic problems that would prevent it from being reopened and had few extra amenities, Meyers said.

But the district has land in the new Grunwald Farm Forest Preserve in Blackberry Township that could be used for 50 campsites for vehicles and an area for tent camping as well, Meyers said.

"It would be a great place to go camping," Forest Preserve President John Hoscheit said.

The Big Rock Forest Preserve is a consideration as well for adding camping sites.

The plans were for discussion only and the board did not vote on them.

Several committee members suggested raising the prices of admission from $10 a night for Kane County residents and $15 a night for out of county residents in order to break even with the project.

Chairman Jan Carlson, an Elburn Republican, asked if Bliss Woods or an area nearby could be reopened as a tent-only campground.

"I feel very strongly that there is a need there," he said.