[BCNnet] RFI - birding at Westchester Woods in Cook County (no sightings)

[Randi Doeker - Chicago]

Does anyone bird the Westchester Woods area that is along Cermak just east
of Mannheim in Cook County?

The Westchester Community Image Council ( http://www.westchestercic.org/ )
is promoting a dog park for that area -- in the name of economic
development.  Below is a news article; the formal request has gone to a
FPDCC committee for consideration.

Please contact me directly or post your comments on BCNnet -
http://www.bcnbirds.org/bcnnet.html    (Definitely do not reply on IBET.)

Randi Doeker
Chicago
Rbdoeker @yahoo.com




Dog park, canoe launch planned for this year

March 14, 2007
By DAVID WEESE Staff Writer

The Westchester Community Image Council has announced plans to have both a
dog park and a canoe launch area on the Salt Creek up and running by the end
of this summer. 

Jim Lange, president of WCIC, said Westchester resident Lara Holland
approached him with the idea for the dog park. Holland pointed out that
there are no recreational grounds for dog owners in the area, and many of
the local parks don't allow dogs. 
In the course of their work in conjunction with the Cook County Forest
Preserve's Keeper Corps, WCIC became aware of an area in Westchester Woods
that was once the site of the caretaker's residence. The area is secluded
from the main picnic areas in the park. 

WCIC approached Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica in with the idea, "and
he's 100 percent in support of it," Lange said. Peraica encouraged WCIC to
approach Forest Preserve Superintendent Steve Bylina with the idea. When
approached in February, Bylina expressed his support for the dog park "and
got the ball rolling on the preliminary planning phase," Lange said. 

"WCIC (volunteers) would come in and do the labor (on building the park),
and the maintenance of the park once it's created," Lange said, but states
that things are still in the planning stages at the Forest Preserve
District. 

Building the park would predominately involve some brush clearing and
mowing. The WCIC is looking for sponsors to help with the cost of building a
fence and installing landscaping at the entrances, as well as installing
benches and trash cans. Lange says WCIC will appeal to dog clubs, pet stores
and veterinarians, as well as corporations and other businesses in the area
to help sponsor the park. 
Lange said it is likely dog owners would pay a nominal yearly license fee to
have access to the park. 

Lange said WCIC came up with the idea for a canoe launch on Salt Creek, but
then discovered that the Forest Preserve District was actively seeking
another spot midway between the launches at the Graue Mill in Fullersburg
Woods in DuPage County and Plank Road Meadow in Lyons. "Westchester fits
perfectly for that," he said. 

There are three sites being considered for the new launch. The first is in
Breznia Woods off Mannheim Road between Cermak Road and 31st Street. 

The second is in Westchester Woods near the area for dog park. Lange said
there are a few potential launch sites along the creek there that are being
considered. That area would require boaters to portage their canoes some 100
yards.

The third is on the Salt Creek Bike Trail near the old bridge. 

"Peraica is interested in the canoe launch because it fits in with his whole
plan for the 16th district and for the forest preserve," which includes
plans to upgrade the Salt Creek bike trails to make Brookfield Zoo a hub for
many area bike trails. There are also plans to extend the trails out to and
through Westchester and into DuPage County to meet The Illinois Prairie Path
trails. Riders can take the Prairie Paths west to the Fox River or north to
Wisconsin. 

WCIC volunteers would assist the Forest Preserve with actually developing
landing area itself, and clearing trails to the launch. 

"Our group recognizes that the Forest Preserves in our area are a huge asset
to us," Lange said. "Our town needs economic development and these trails,
the dog park and the canoe launch will bring people into town who will spend
dollars and hopefully help revitalize our economic base." 

The WCIC is involved in many landscaping, beautification and clean-up
projects in and around the village. To join, donate to or sponsor the WCIC,
or for more information about the organization, visit
www.westchestercic.org.