Heron Creek may expand by nearly 100 acres

A Long Grove-area forest preserve will expand dramatically under the terms of two proposed land deals worth more than $5 million.

The Heron Creek Forest Preserve, at the southwest corner of Route 22 and Old McHenry Road, will swell from 144 to about 240 acres if the Lake County Forest Preserve District board approves the two deals.

Heron Creek is one of the few preserves in the southwestern part of the county. Forest preserve board President Bonnie Thomson Carter said she is thrilled to expand the site and the recreational offerings in the region.

"Just a few years ago, there were no forest preserves there," Carter said. "I'm just really excited for the residents out there."

One proposed purchase calls for commissioners to spend about $5.7 million on nearly 95 acres known as the CF Industries property, officials said. The land is south of Route 22 between Old McHenry and Krueger roads.

The purchase became possible after CF Industries, which manufactures and distributes fertilizer products, relocated its headquarters to Deerfield, Carter said.

The company's former office building is not included in the proposed purchase.

The other deal would have the board spending $60,000 on about an acre known as the Kemper property. It's also south of Route 22 and west of Old McHenry Road.

The original 2004 purchase that established the preserve was for land that once was part of Kemper Insurance's holdings. More land was added in 2006.

The board's land preservation and acquisition committee will review the proposals Thursday morning and the finance committee will review the proposals that afternoon.

The full board could vote on the deals next Tuesday.

The Heron Creek preserve has been closed to the public but is set to open later this year. Hiking, biking and cross country skiing trails are planned, as are two picnic shelters, a children's play area and other amenities.

The preserve was named after a creek that flows through the property and the herons found there.

The heron is one of more than 100 bird species known to populate the preserve, including six on the state's endangered species list, according to the district's Web site.

It adjoins the Reed Turner Nature Preserve, which is owned by the Long Grove Park District.