Opinion

Stop destruction of Ackerman Woods

Posted March 24, 2008 11:00 pm

We are writing in protest of the planned storm water retention and soccer field construction in Ackerman Woods. This plan includes cutting over 340 trees up to 2 eet in diameter. These woods should be preserved, not destroyed. Planning, bidding and construction on this property should be halted immediately.

The two reasons stated by the village and the park district for the destruction of Ackerman Woods are 1) the need for water detention for 5-Corners (because of the plan to sell the existing water detention land to develop a strip mall) and 2) the need for additional soccer fields. We should not trade our woods for a strip mall. There has been vacant retail space in that area for years.

Additionally, there is no justification for new soccer fields without a facilities usage study. The park district does not know what the current demand is or whether existing facilities are being fully utilized. Simply stating that many children are involved in the soccer program is not an analysis. The park district has also not studied alternate locations for fields, if they indeed are needed. We ask the park district to suspend support for the plan to destroy Ackerman Woods.

The village of Glen Ellyn says that it is deeply committed to tree preservation, as evident by the "Gems of Glen Ellyn" brochure and the numerous environmental awards the village has received. The village code states: It is the stated public policy of the village to add to the tree population within the village, where possible, and to maintain, to the greatest extent possible, existing trees within the village. The planting of additional trees, preservation of existing trees, and proper maintenance of trees in the village will improve the quality of life in Glen Ellyn. (Ord. 4925, 3-26-2001.)

This project does not reflect the desires of the Glen Ellyn community. We request that the village halt work on this plan immediately, and call a public hearing to discuss the long-term plan for Ackerman Woods.

David and Melissa Creech

Glen Ellyn

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