Emily Foote

The Comprehensive Master Plan for Five Rivers MetroParks outlines a 10-year roadmap to protect natural areas, provide world-class parks, facilities, trails, and attractions, and foster a nature-based community. The plan focuses on creating great parks and educational/recreational amenities, engaging the community through diverse programming, empowering staff, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. It aims to protect natural heritage and inspire personal connections with nature for the benefit of the region.

This Master Plan for Wegerzyn MetroPark outlines a comprehensive, ten-year strategy to enhance the park's facilities, programming, and conservation efforts, building upon the Five Rivers MetroParks' Comprehensive Master Plan. Key focus areas include improving visitor experience through expanded trails, renovated facilities like the visitor center, and enhanced garden areas. The plan emphasizes conservation, education, and recreation, with specific goals for gardening, local foods, cultural history, nature education, sustainable living, outdoor recreation, health and wellness, and community events. It aims to provide world-class amenities and services, ensuring the park's continued evolution and connection to nature through horticulture.

This Master Plan for Possum Creek MetroPark outlines a comprehensive strategy for its development and management. The plan focuses on enhancing visitor experiences, improving park infrastructure, and promoting conservation, education, and recreation. Key priorities include developing accessible trail systems, reconfiguring fishing lakes, expanding nature play and camping opportunities, and establishing a sustainable living center. The plan details capital improvements, operational impacts, and implementation strategies for various park features and services, guided by the organization's three pillars: conservation, education, and recreation.

The meeting focused on the Larchtree Reserve / Mitigation Bank Master Plan. Discussions covered the history and management of the Wetland Bank, conservation easement overlays, and the purchase and habitat of the Larchtree Golf Course. The plan aims to fulfill comprehensive master plan objectives, including nature play, trails, access, and habitat, while also considering interpretation and programming opportunities. Public input was gathered at open houses, and operations staff provided feedback on potential improvements and uses for the park, including recreational activities, economic development opportunities, and connections to Sycamore State Park and the Wolf Creek Trail.

This document details the comprehensive master planning process undertaken for Hills & Dales MetroPark. It outlines the formation of a core team and design team, public relations efforts, and a series of work sessions and stakeholder meetings held in late 2018 and mid-2019 to gather input. The document compiles public feedback, including desired improvements such as enhanced natural trails, better maintenance, expanded historical interpretation, increased recreational opportunities, and improved facilities, alongside insights into the park's unique qualities and current challenges. The process culminates in the development of concept alternatives, a pre-final site plan, and ultimately, a final plan with prioritized projects and cost estimates across various functional areas.