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Districtwide - Preserve Master Plans

The District’s 2019 Master Plan calls for updating site-specific master plans for each forest preserve. To begin the process, District staff are revising master plans for three of the most visited forest preserves — Blackwell, Greene Valley, and Waterfall Glen.

The updated master plans will provide a roadmap for the preserves' future development with suggested timeframes for projects to help the District determine future capital budgeting and operational impacts to further the District’s mission. 

Apr
2023

Status

The board approved the master plans for Blackwell, Greene Valley, and Waterfall Glen forest preserves on April 18, 2023. 

View the approved master plans.

Project Background

The first phase of development of these site-specific master plans began in early 2021 with information gathering and site visits.

In June and July 2021, the District hosted public and stakeholder engagement sessions and performed a market analysis to determine the best use of assets and identify gaps and overlaps in programs provided by similar service providers to inform the proposed development program. Additionally, surveys were posted for each preserve.

The second phase — including analysis of stakeholder input, development of plan recommendations, implementation plans, and cost estimates — is currently underway and expected to be complete by the beginning of 2023.

Once complete, the master plans will serve as important tools to guide the preserves' development. Master planning will then begin for additional forest preserves.

Documents

2019 Master Plan Final (PDF)

Master Plan Update to Board 10-19-21
Master Plan Discovery and Analysis Report 10-19-21
Master Plan Framework Plan Update to the Board 5-24-22
Master Plan Presentation to Board 8-9-22

Preserve Master Plans map with red stars