Forest Preserve District Wins National Award

by Lance Loucks

A highlight of the recent National Association of Counties' Convention was presentation of the New County, USA Achievement Awards. Receiving a national award for its Multiple Resource and Recreation Management Programs was the Forest Preserve District of Du Page County, Illinois. C. LeRoy James, now in his twelfth term as President of the Forest Preserve Commission and Director H. C. Johnson, immediate past President of the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, received the award on behalf of the District.

During the last ten years District holdings have grown from slightly over 1,000 acres to nearly 11,500 acres. Forest Preserve objectives are based on natural resource management as outlined in the District's Land Acquisition Master Plan, "the Forest Preserve system of Du Page County should be designed to accomplish multiple objectives. . . .Providing outdoor recreation space is obviously one objective, but there are others too, such as flood control, augmenting ground water supplies, improving the quality of surface waters and conserving the county's aesthetic, biological and mineral resources."

The Forest Preserve District has served as a leader in bringing about changes in state legislation. Revisions include increased limits of bonding authority without referendum for land acquisition purposes, establishment of a Construction and Development tax levy and an amendment permitting the sale of gravel, sand, earth and other materials obtained from the lands and waters of forest preserve districts.

The progressive land acquisition program has been concentrated on the stream courses of the County because of the multiple benefits derived from such lands. These lands serve as valuable floodplain and ground water recharge areas while furnishing wildlife habitat and water oriented recreation.

Management of the mineral resource has resulted in sizeable revenues which are used to supplement tax dollars. More importantly, mining of gravel and the use of sanitary landfill techniques have resulted in the creation of recreational hills and valuable ground water lakes.

Other management tools cited in the award presentation were the restoration of examples of various native habitats and the use of a cropland conversion program. Under a Cropland Conversion Contract, which is rent free, farmers are allowed to farm District lands for two years in exchange for planting a cover crop upon termination of the agreement.

The District recently opened its first Environmental Education Center (see Article Page 4). Interpretation is accomplished through the use of rented headsets. From combining gravel and refuse into a recreational hill and lakes to citizen operation of an historic site, innovation has been the key to District programs.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 30 September/October, 1973

Receiving the award for the DuPage Forest Preserve District are (left to right): Don Prindle, Forest Preserve District Commissioner; Gerald Weeks, Chairman, DuPage County Board; H. C. Johnson, Director, Forest Preserve District; C. LeRoy James, President, Forest Preserve Commission.

FOUNDATION AWARDS

The Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation annually presents six awards during the annual conference.

Three awards are presented to professionals who have made significant contribution to the field of parks and recreation; and three to lay persons and board members who have shown dedication to parks and recreation in their communities and state.

If you wish to nominate any deserving individuals please contact: Ted Kavadas, Director, Park District of Highland Park, 1801 Sunset Rd., Highland Park, Illinois. (312) 432-2763.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 31 September/October, 1973