Future is certain -- for now -- at 'Pate' Philip state park

After years of being the red-headed stepchild of state parks, James "Pate" Philip State Park's future is guaranteed -- until November 2012.

DuPage County Forest Preserve District leaders Tuesday signed off on a five-year operating agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Bartlett Park District.

The three agencies will share responsibilities and funding for the park, in Bartlett at the junction of DuPage, Kane and Cook counties.

Known formerly as Tri-County State Park, the site was farmed for years, but originally consisted of prairie and wetlands that slowly are being restored.

It opened in 2003 with a $1 million state grant, but that money ran out in 2005. The district and Illinois Department of Natural Resources worked out a short-term agreement to keep the park open, but it left the facility with a bare-bones budget.

In 2006, Bartlett entered the picture, agreeing to staff the visitors center and help with education programs.

The district undertakes prairie and wetland restoration projects plus trail maintenance and police patrols.

The state still owns the 500-acre park and is leasing it to the forest preserve under the terms of the agreement. The IDNR will be responsible for utilities, capital improvements and garbage pickup.

"The transition from last year to this year will be seamless," Executive Director Brent Manning said.

Land Management Director Mike Palazzetti added, "we agreed the way we've been operating is working well.

"Bartlett has stepped up and helped operate the visitors center and the state works well with all of us."