Naperville opens Von Oven land to all youth groups

The Von Oven property in Naperville that has been used as a scout camp for decades will now be open to other youth groups.

City councilmen on Tuesday approved new regulations for the land that also include hours and fees for use.

Naperville owns the 10 acres at 701 S. West St. near Sportsman's Park as the land was left to it through the estates of Caroline Martin Mitchell and Emma Von Oven.

Since 1950 though, the land has been used exclusively by Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups. A nonprofit group, Von Oven Scout Reservation, Inc. maintains the property that includes both grassy and wooded areas. The property also has bathroom facilities, a cabin, pavilion and campsites.

Councilmen have said because it is city land it should be open to public use and after months of negotiations, reached an agreement earlier this year with Von Oven Scout Reservation Inc.

Under the new deal, the scouting groups will have priority use of the land but other groups will also be allowed to reserve it. The Von Oven nonprofit group will manage the property on the city's behalf.

Councilmen on Tuesday unanimously voted to further define some of the rules for use of the land including that those reserving it would have to be organized youth groups with members that are 18 and younger.

"To keep this focused on youth is extremely important and then to have it be youth groups is paramount to the intent of the Emma Von Oven will, it just can't be exclusive to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts," Councilman Grant Wehrli said.

The property will be available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for daytime reservations and 6 p.m. to 11 a.m. the following day for overnight reservations.

Groups will be limited to 100 non-scouts at a time. Fees, which are partially refundable, will be set at $60 for daytime use and $120 for overnight use. Groups will be able to reserve the Von Oven property through the city clerk's office. Officials hope to have the necessary paperwork on the city's website by June 1.