Improvements planned for preserve

Construction is under way on a number of major improvements at the Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia.

Plans for the east side, near the Nelson Lake Road parking lot, include a new shelter, restrooms, interpretive kiosk and an accessible pathway to the east lake overlook.

Scheduled improvements for the north side, off Main Street, include a newly paved 19-space parking lot, an interpretive kiosk, two accessible, interpretive overlooks, a picnic shelter, and new restrooms. An equestrian trailer parking lot is planned for the spring.

Trail system improvements include a new 1.2-mile segment of the Mid-County Bike Trail with a pedestrian crosswalk at South Mill Creek Drive and Main Street, a new 1.6-mile multipurpose trail, and an additional 2.3 miles of equestrian mowed trails to be completed next spring.

Prairie and habitat restoration is also taking place. Construction began Sept. 10 and will last through mid-November.

All of the projects are partially funded by an open space lands acquisition and development program. It is a state-financed grant program that provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and development of land for public parks and open space. It is managed in Illinois by the Department of Natural Resources.

The Dick Young Forest Preserve is located at 39W115 Main St., Batavia. For information, call the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at (630) 232-5980.