Residents Benefit from Cooperation - (forest preserve+park district)

Partnerships at Work

forest preserve+ park district

Residents Benefit from Cooperation

by Bruce Hodgdon

If all goes according to plan, bids will go out this spring and the construction of a playground in the City of Crest Hill will commence. This playground will literally and figuratively break new ground as a unique partnership. The Lockport Township Park District will be granted a 99-year lease to manage the playground on property owned by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, marking the first time the forest preserve has entered into such an agreement with a park district.

This intergovernmental agreement originated in 1991 when residents of Crest Hill petitioned the city to allow the forest preserve to purchase property along the Rock Run Creek corridor. Crest Hill, which does not operate a park district, has no public open space. Since 1989, the forest preserve had actively been purchasing property along Rock Run Creek to preserve critical flora and fauna found in the corridor, and the Crest Hill property fit in with its plans to preserve the corridor.

In March of 1992, the City of Crest Hill agreed to let the forest preserve district purchase an 86.32-acre site—to be called Theodore Marsh—in Rock Run Preserve, with the understanding that the Lockport Township Park District would be allowed to develop a small portion of the property (about 150 feet by 200 feet) for a neighborhood playground. Just north of the playground site is located the Crest Acres Subdivision, and access to the playground will be provided by a trail that leads to Crest Acres.

The 99-year license agreement grants the park district permission to install, operate, and maintain the playground at Theodore Marsh. Circled by an open play field, the playground will consist of straight and tube slides, an arch climber and loop ladder, and corkscrew climber, and will be underlain with a safety surface.

The park district will be responsible for maintenance of the playground equipment and for refuse collection. Legally, the park district accepts full liability for the program, "hold[ing] harmless the Forest Preserve District of Will County from any and all claims."

Long-term plans call for the forest preserve district to develop amenities within Theodore Marsh that will enhance recreational and educational opportunities for area residents. These include the construction of a parking lot, picnic shelter, latrine and well just south of the playground area. Leading south will be 1.25 miles of multi-use and interpretive trails for hiking, jogging, bird watching, and specialized educational activities. The forest preserve district will undergo extensive prairie restoration throughout the site, and the rich wetlands that border Rock Run Creek will be preserved and enhanced.

In the end, the partnership will result in recreational and educational opportunities for the residents of the City of Crest Hill, the preservation of open space in a rapidly growing urban area, and the protection of a critical wetland area.

Bruce Hodgdon is the media liaison for the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

Forest Preserve+Park District

Keys to Success

"Both parties were eager to do it right away," says Bruce Hodgdon, media liaison for the forest preserve..

Advice for Others

"Why not combine resources? We were able to buy an important parcel of land in a community that had none. The park district was able to do what they do best and provide recreation, like the playground. I encourage more forest preserves to partner with park districts."

How Many Partnerships Do You Have?

"This is the first cooperative agreement we have had with a park district. Trying to get the community involved in ecology is very important."

Illinois Parks & Recreation * March/April 1996 * 45

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