‘A huge improvement’: Small addition to Grant Woods Forest Preserve will have big impact

The pending purchase of less than an acre adjoining Grant Woods in Ingleside is a blip for the Lake County Forest Preserve District but comes with a big upside.

A privately owned, 0.85-acre parcel on the east of Route 59 just south of Monaville Road is the adjacent companion property to one the district agreed to buy in January and closed on last month.

Together, the acquisitions will allow deteriorating buildings to be demolished and debris cleared. Visible from Route 59 and the trail head and other areas at Grant Woods, the site has been in disrepair for years, according to forest preserves officials.

“I get all kinds of complaints,” said forest preserve Commissioner Kevin Hunter of Ingleside, whose district includes Grant Woods.

Hunter on Wednesday said he has been trying to resolve the issue since joining the board six years ago.

“From (Route) 59 it’s really visible,” he added. “It’s worse when there are no leaves on the trees.”

Forest commissioners Wednesday agreed to purchase the 0.85-acre southern parcel for $37,500, just $500 more than for the adjoining parcel.

Both had been surrounded on three sides by forest preserve property. Forest preserve commissioners also serve as Lake County Board members.

Hunter said the site has been in disrepair for decades and at one point, several years ago, the county spent about $30,000 to clean it up. However, it soon returned to its previous state, he said.

“I was not going to ask for anymore taxpayer dollars to clean up private property,” he said.

The acquisition supports long-term conservation goals and while small, will help improve the continuity and protection of Grant Woods, according to forest board President Jessica Vealitzek.

“Piece by piece, acquisitions like this help build a stronger landscape,” she said. Even small additions can play an important role in protecting open space and supporting the long-term health of Grant Woods, she added.

According to information presented to the forest board, there is a judgment lien on the property from Lake County for $28,800 plus court costs, but the department of building, planning and development has said it will work with the district to have the lien released.

The district would accept responsibility for debris removal. A home and outbuildings will be inspected and demolished if determined they can’t be used for district purposes.

“This will be a huge improvement,” Hunter said. “We’ll clean it up all at one time.”