Would sports complex benefit Kane?

I urge all Kane County citizens to become aware of plans now on the drawing board regarding the property that formerly housed the county jail and sheriff’s office on Fabyan Parkway. Our Kane County Board/Forest Preserve Commission is currently proposing huge sports and entertainment venues, water features, and a large hotel in a part of Kane County that is known for its windmills, its Japanese Garden, Fabyan Woods, Fermilab’s restored prairie, the Fox River, and popular forest preserves like Bliss Woods, Dick Young and Oakhurst.

We want Kane County Board members to answer these questions:

Is it desirable to fill every open field with business or sports venues, roads and parking lots?

Is it not important for a forest preserve to actually preserve a 200-year-old oak forest?

Would the hoped-for crowds bring a better quality of life to this part of Kane County?

The forest preserve’s mission statement would not seem to support or even suggest the plans you have for this 750-acre property.

“It is the mission of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County to acquire, hold, and maintain lands within Kane County which contribute to the preservation of natural and historic resources and habitats, flora and fauna; and to restore, restock, protect and preserve such lands for the education, recreation, and pleasure of all its citizens.”

A quote from our revered environmentalist and adviser to the KC Forest Preserve, the late Dick Young, puts all of this into perspective:

“It’s our hope that more people making land-use changes in the future will recognize the advantages and importance of protecting our heritage and establishing healthy ecosystems in the landscape. Most land use change occurring in Kane County tends to simplify and degrade rather than enhance environmental richness.”

Virginia C. Babcock

Batavia