Champaign County Forest Preserve Updates

The 2020 election had consequences in another County government body: the Champaign County Forest Preserve. A voter referendum for more taxpayer funding passed. Prior to the election the Forest Preserve explained its goals if they received the additional funding. From the News-Gazette this past November:

Water, bike trails and roofing jobs are among the top projects on the Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s to-do list if voters approve a tax increase Tuesday...

Forest preserve district Executive Director Mary Ellen Wuellner said the increase would bring in about $700,000 annually.

No. 1 on the list of projects those funds would pay for: restoring Willow Pond at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve in rural Penfield, at a projected cost of $450,000.

The pond with the only beach in the county has a leak that needs to be sealed, and it will be given a new look.

Full article with other priorities here. There was a follow up article after it passed explaining that the budget would be updated with the new funds in mind. A new preserve project was announced earlier this month by WCIA:

The 98-Acre Heron View Forest Preserve will be the fourth along the Sangamon River. When it’s officially open, you’ll be able to find it sitting between Lake of the Woods and Sangamon River Forest Preserves along County Road 2600 North in Mahomet.

Forest Preserve District officials said as a floodplain forest, the space will allow them to better regulate flood peaks, as well as give visitors a lot of recreational opportunities.

Blue Heron’s and Virginia Bluebells, for which the preserve got its name, will be in full bloom by springtime.

Full blurb here.

Other Forest Preserve News Updates:

• Winter Activity Guide released (Print from PDF here) and WCIA coverage here.
• Replacing a pavilion with new shelters: WCIA Blurb, News-Gazette full article with more details.
• New trail signage to check out: Earlier this month from the News-Gazette.
• A fundraiser for a "new accessible recreation area at the Lake of the Woods peninsula."

A reminder that there are often a multitude of volunteer opportunities at the Forest Preserve. More information on that is available on their website here.

The Preserve is governed by a Board of Commissioners, but meeting information for 2021 still doesn't appear to be available on the website yet. When it is, it will likely be on this page.