advertisement

Another Millennium Trail connection planned

A pending agreement between the Lake County Forest Preserve District and the county's division of transportation would provide another key link in the Millennium Trail.

The half-mile segment along Russell Road would complete the connection between Van Patten Woods and the new, soon-to-open trail system at the Pine Dunes Forest Preserve near Wadsworth in the northern part of the county.

The division of transportation already built the half-mile section from old Route 41 east to within 2,800 feet of the entrance to Van Patten Woods. This remaining section will connect the Des Plaines River Trail and equestrian parking lot at Van Patten Woods with Pine Dunes.

The agreement calls for the division of transportation to buy 10 feet of right of way along the south side of Russell Road. In return, the district will dedicate to the county 10 feet of its frontage along the south side of Russell Road at Van Patten Woods for a future multiuse path along Russell Road to connect the Des Plaines River Trail with the Robert McClory Bike Path, said Randy Seebach, director of planning and land preservation for the forest preserve district.

Its policy doesn't allow equestrian uses on its paths, so the forest district will have to assume all future operation and maintenance costs. This would be only the fifth section of trail or sidewalk in the county the forest district has contributed money for or maintains but doesn't own or have an easement.

"There are concerns about liability. They don't want to change their policy and they don't want to clean up after horses," Seebach said.

Members of the forest board's land preservation and acquisition committee have recommended approval of the agreement to the full district board. Construction is expected to being early next summer, with expected completion next fall.

Engineering and construction costs for the remaining half mile section have been budgeted for $974,759 due, in part, to challenging conditions in the narrow corridor, Seebach said.

Pine Dunes, at Hunt Club and Edwards road near Wadsworth is scenic, but has had access only to a man-made pond for fishing with no other amenities. Improvements have been ongoing, and a tentative date of Thanksgiving has been set to open a formal trail system.

That came about through a partnership struck in 2013 with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to restore property and expand access to the Des Plaines River Trail. The improvements include 2.7 miles of trails, four boardwalks, three scenic overlooks, a 24-car parking lot off Hunt Club Road and 285 acres of land restoration. The restoration includes creation of 80 acres of wetland by the tollway as mitigation for the Elgin-O'Hare western access project.

@dhmickzawislak

Tollway pact could provide $9 million for forest district

Public amenities in progress at Pine Dunes

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.