[BCNnet] Thatcher Woods DFA- Testimony to FPDCC Budget Hearing

[Jill Anderson]

For those interested in the "use of forest preserves for dog parks" issue, 
I have enclosed my testimony addressing this matter below. (presented at 
Maybrook Court 11/20)
Here are my impressions of the meeting: it was poorly attended, and the 
commissioners I most wanted to address and meet were not present. Still, I 
feel that my statement was heard by those present.
Also... as an aside: I recently learned that the Village of Oak Park has 
expanded the hours when dogs could be run off-leash at 2 Oak Park Village 
Parks -effective 11/15. Hours are from 7-9 AM on weekends and Nat'l 
Holidays. So there ARE some alternatives to unleashed dogs in the FPDCC. At 
least near Thatcher.
Thanks,
Jill Anderson, River Forest
--------------------
Good evening. My name is Jill Anderson, and I'm a volunteer bird Monitor in 
Thatcher Woods. I census birds in Thatcher Woods on a year-round basis. The 
Des Plaines River Valley is a major migratory route for birds, and is a 
favorite site among birders.
I'm here tonight to express concern regarding the proposal to enclose up to 
60 acres of Thatcher Woods for the sole and exclusive use of 500 dog owners 
and their unleashed dogs.
I do not understand how this proposal meets the Forest Preserve District of 
Cook County's mission to "preserve, protect and restore natural land". This 
mission, above all else, should guide the vision and budget of the Forest 
Preserve District of Cook County now, and in the years to come.

I'm also concerned about plans to expand the pilot Dog Park project at Beck 
Lake without adequate review of its current impact. The intent of a "pilot 
project" is to evaluate its effectiveness, prior to full endorsement. It is 
essential that this evaluation be done before that dog park is expanded, 
and before additional Dog Parks are created.

Questions I have about the Beck Lake Pilot Project and the Thatcher Woods' 
proposal include the following:
1) How was it decided to restrict access to public land for use by members 
of a special interest group?
2) How were these sites selected, and must they include wetlands?
3) When will the environmental impact of the Beck Lake Dog Park be studied?
4) How was it determined that Beck Lake dogs needed 22 acres and Thatcher 
dogs need
     60 acres?
5) How many more Dog Parks do you intend to create?
6) Will the Board fence off more public land for the private use of other 
special interest groups, now that a precedent has been set? If not, how 
will the Board defend their decision to say "yes" to one group and "no" to 
another?
7) Will Public Hearings be held to allow community input on the Pilot 
Project and the Thatcher proposal?
8) If the cost to fence 60 acres of forest preserve exceeds permit revenue, 
who pays for the additional costs?
9) Where will the additional monies for signage, property and fence 
maintenance, and enforcement come from? Will taxpayers who have been denied 
access to the land be forced to pay the "routine operational costs" of 
maintaining that same land?

One "selling point" of the Dog Groups is that dog walkers are the only 
taxpayers who visit the forest preserves. This is simply not true.
Ask the angry fishermen at Beck Lake who lost their fishing hole.
For those unfamiliar with the problems and costs of fence maintenance, 
please visit Miller Meadow or call Earthwerks. They are the contractors 
hired to do restoration work at Miller Meadow. Vandalism to the fence is 
ongoing, and has wasted time, money and resources at that site.
I'm concerned that visitors to Thatcher are not even aware of the potential 
loss of their forest preserve. People are confused by a Dog Training Area, 
which is open to the public, and a Dog Park, which is not.
I know the district is facing current financial strains, but I don't 
believe that selling special-use permits, particularly for a use that will 
cause harm to the habitat, is the way to go.

Given these concerns, I respectfully request a halt to Dog Park proposals 
or expansions, until the issue can be thoughtfully examined and questions 
answered.

Too much natural habitat has already been lost, and it is my sincere hope 
that the Board will defend and protect the limited amount of land that 
remains. You've been true to the Forest Preserve's core mission by 
supporting grassland restoration at several sites within the County, 
particularly Bartel and Orland grasslands, where restored habitat now 
sustains endangered bird species. These success stories indicate that you 
do, indeed, make a difference as the guardians of our natural environment.
You have my sincerest thanks and congratulations for your grassland 
restoration work, and I also thank you for giving me the time to speak 
tonight.