Preserve Lakewood Preserve
www.preservelakewood.net

The Issues

The Lay of the Land

Lakewood Forest Preserve encompasses 2578 acres of beautiful woods, fields, wetlands, farmland, evergreen groves and small lakes. It is located near the town of Wauconda, in the southwest corner of Lake County, Illinois (just south of the Wisconsin border).

Along with its majestic scenery, Lakewood is home to abundant wildlife, including 17 endangered species. You'll find deer, fox, coyote, squirrels, rabbits, beavers, chipmunks, woodchucks, minks, skunks, bats, blue-spotted salamander and snakes. Birds are plentiful, including red-tailed hawks, sandhill cranes, northern harriers, swans, ducks, geese, crows, warblers, great horned owls, eastern screech owls, black night heron, red-bellied woodpeckers, bluejays, cardinals, robins, ducks, hummingbirds, and many others. Nestled on an edge of Lakewood is "Barnswallow" www.barnswallow.net. This wild bird rehabilitation and education center (non tax supported) cares for injured and orphaned raptors (hawks, eagles, owls and falcons), with the goal of restoring their freedom.

From the mid-1800s through the late 1930s, the area was mainly comprised of small prairie farms. In 1937, much of the land was purchased by a wealthy businessman who converted it into a large, private, country estate. "Lakewood Farms" emerged as one of the county's largest, with orchards, gardens, crops and livestock. Beginning in 1965 and continuing through the late 1990s, the Lake County government gradually purchased land parcels, combining them into what is now Lakewood, the county's largest forest Preserve.

Throughout most of its history as a Preserve, Lakewood has been a beautiful, natural, serene haven for horsepeople, hikers, bird watchers, fishermen and other nature lovers, all of whom have "coexisted," along with the land and wildlife, in safety and harmony. With many nearby stables and horse farms, Lakewood's trails have long been "home range" for equestrians of all sorts, riding Western, English and Australian. With its varied flora and fauna, Lakewood is a favorite of nature lovers. Many happy times, lifelong friendships, and fond memories have been enjoyed and shared, thanks to Lakewood.

"And in the morning I was riding, out through the breaks of that long plain,
and leather creaking in the quieting, would sound with trot and trot again.
I lived in time with horse hoof falling; I listened well and heard the calling.
The earth, my mother, bade to me, though I would still ride wild and free …
And as I flew out on the morning, before the bird, before the dawn,
I was the poem, I was the song." - from "Anthem," by Buck Ramsey

Paradise Lost ?!

"They call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye." -The Eagles, "The Last Resort"

And now, that's precisely what our precious Lakewood is facing. In late 2004, the Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD) Board of Commissioners announced plans that would, essentially, "rape" this Midwestern "Walden." The Board is studying plans to construct a series of picnic shelters within Lakewood. (Heck, why not throw in a McDonalds and White Hen?!) This "blacktopping" would raze prairie fields, seriously endanger indigenous wildlife, displace existing horse and hiking trails, along with a host of other harmful effects. Out of this heartless, reckless disregard for nature and the public will, a rapidly growing group of concerned citizens has coalesced. Our aim is to stop the politicians and bureaucrats from defiling this "sacred ground." We urgently need, and ask for, your active support.

"First man conquers nature, and then he learns that conquered nature has lost its purity and he's very upset by this loss. But it's not science that's to blame, it's technocrats and politicians. They've misused science." -Saul Bellow

Barkin' Up the Wrong Tree!

Our opposition to the Lake County's plan is multi-faceted, based upon common sense, healthy environmental care, public safety, aesthetic quality, historical appreciation, equestrian and hiker needs, and wise fiscal policy. The arguments present a compelling, overwhelming rationale against Lake County's "barren" intentions …

1. Environmental Impact

The Board is considering the location of approximately 8 picnic areas in the area south of Ivanhoe Road. Each picnic area would be capable of accommodating approximately 100-150 people. As such, on any given day, the area could quite plausibly be inundated with 1000 people and 250+ vehicles.

• The introduction of facilities, picnickers, etc., would harm the Preserve's precious (and possibly endangered) plant life, animals and birds.
• The plan would cause undue noise, vehicle traffic, air pollution, litter.

2. Safety Concerns

• Such a large-scale introduction of vehicles and people would endanger public safety; foster a climate for alcohol and drugs, profanity, violence, sexual activity, gang assembly, hooliganism.
• Nearby homes and other property would be likely targets of trespassing, burglary, vandalism.
• The proximity of horses and picnickers would pose grave danger to all.

3. Aesthetic Quality

The construction of new structures and roads, increased vehicular traffic, necessary refuse containers, litter, etc., would significantly degrade the area's pastoral, tranquil, aesthetic and spiritual qualities.

4. Historical Preservation

Lakewood Preserve has long been a "home ground" of the area's equestrian community, while also treasured by hikers and bird watchers. Lake County has enjoyed a long, prized tradition as a horse-friendly community. That proud heritage ought to be preserved and supported.

5. Equestrian and Hiker Interests

• The region is home to a great number of horsepeople and hikers.
• The horse community, in particular, contributes significantly to the county's economic health (i.e., taxes, retail sales, horse boarding & care, trail use fees).
• Many equestrians and hikers make frequent, year-round use of Lakewood.
• They depend upon safe, nice trails and environs.
• The county's plans to close and/or reroute existing trails would significantly impair, endanger and/or diminish the enjoyment of, those (most frequent) users.
• The horse and hiking communities are overwhelmingly, vigorously opposed to the committee's plans (as evidenced by the 1000+ opposing petition signatures already collected).

6. Negligible Need

There has evidently been no clear, substantial demand from Lake County residents, neither for additional picnic areas, nor at Lakewood Preserve in particular.

"The earth I tread on is not a dead, inert mass. It is a body, has a spirit, is organic,
and fluid to the influence of its spirit, and to whatever particle of that spirit is in me."
-Henry David Thoreau

7. Fiscal Implications

• The Board's plan would be very costly in terms of construction, maintenance and groundskeeping.
• The current Forest Preserve budget has already suffered a budget reduction of $19.1 million (-17%) versus the prior fiscal year
• The county will likely face far higher insurance premiums (and litigation expenses!), stemming from the safety issues presented earlier (section #2).

8. Alternative Facilities Locations

To the extent there exists any bona fide need for additional picnic shelters, other current Forest Preserve locales (or future land acquisitions) ought to be given first and particular consideration.

Hold Your Ground!

United in our love for Lakewood Forest Preserve, "friends" have gathered to prevent her threatened carnage. We've organized under the banner Preserve Lakewood!, taking heart in the mounting groundswell of support for this urgent cause. We've adopted the following organization Mission Statement …

"Our mission is to protect, preserve and promote the environmental, aesthetic, wildlife, equestrian and hiker needs and interests of Lakewood Forest Preserve (especially the portion south of Ivanhoe Road), located in Lake County, Illinois.

Accordingly, we oppose efforts and activities of the Lake County Forest Preserve District to modify the existing trails; situate or construct parking, picnic, recreational and/or other such facilities; and/or otherwise endanger or diminish the natural beauty, serenity and quality of Lakewood Forest Preserve."

Preserve Lakewood! doesn't want our government laying waste to this precious land. If you agree, and don't want the "axe to fall," we urge you to join our organization. Also, please contact any or all the Lake County Board officials listed on the following page. Cut down their plans!