Leaf burning isn't the only problem
Your Nov. 17th view, "A call for an end to leaf burning" makes excellent points on the health risks of leaf burning, and good alternatives - mulching, composting, and cooperative yard waste pickup.
I take issue however, with your suggestion of "follow[ing] the lead of the Lake County Forest Preserve," because while they may be adopting the practice of "blow[ing] the leaves into natural, non-lawn areas," they too need to consider some additional alternatives for doing things.
Why is it citizens should no longer burn leaves (or smoke a cigarette), but such governmental entities (or private groups) are seemingly exempt to continue torching large areas with suffocating regularity, and posting signs claiming it's a "prescribed burn?" Just who is prescribing forest floor leaves, twigs, grasses and nonnative vegetation should be burned ... or that it is good for human health?
How do we offset the damaging effects from acres of woodland, or wetland, set ablaze with disturbing regularity? What's next? A total ban on home fireplace and grill use? Whether an area is incorporated or not is irrelevant; smoke billowing from such forest preserve burns countywide ignores boundaries, adjacent homes and health considerations.
The forest preserve blowing leaves into non-lawn areas, is nothing new. Long before they even existed (it's only 50 years young), there were people who knew regular mowing can shred leaves as they come down, or that a heavy cover of leaves in a non-grass area can do wonders for weed control, while eventually providing compost / new top soil. We the people need far less concern for that perfect, over-fertilized grass. A lovely lawn, even under prolific, leaf-creating trees is possible ... while staying green through the entirety of a summer's dry heat without a sprinkler system or leaf burning in the fall. Forest preserves could teach that, while reconsidering some of their continuing unhealthy practices. They are good, but they could do better.
Roberta Schleifer
Lake Barrington