Prairie Path users decry loss of trees

Celebrating 40 YEARS
of the original rails to trails idea!
1963-2003

February 24, 2003

Dear DuPage County Board members:

The Illinois Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation (IPPc) is concerned about the new and excessive removal and trimming of trees and natural plants on the trails in DuPage County. The new and excessive tree and bush removals started Christmas week 2002. In early January, we asked for a meeting to discuss our concerns with Mr. Chuck Tokarski. He said no.

Since the new and excessive tree and bush removals have started we have seen old growth live trees removed over 15' away from the trails shoulders. In addition, many bushes that have provided a natural screen from neighboring homes, businesses and streets have been removed well in excess of the traditional 5- 6 ' shoulder.

The attached photos and comments from Jean Mooring (Board and Charter member of the IPPc) outline our many concerns. Note in our many conversations the past two months with DuPage officials (elected and staff) we have been told, "this is not a new policy." Long time IPPc Board members neighbors and users all along the trails will disagree. They have not seen this amount of destruction of the trail's natural character in the 36 years the Illinois Prairie Path has been open. Trail users and neighbors along the Great Western Trail share the same concerns along the few wooded sections of the trail.

We are asking you to look at the attached photos and comments. As we have been asking since early January, we would like the current effort to remove trees and bushes to stop. We would like the County to clarify the maintenance policy and directions to its work crews performing the removals. In conversations I (as recent as 2/19) and others have had with the DuPage DOT crews on the trails they do not have a work plan detailing type of plants and distance from the trails shoulders to remove them.

As we have done in the past, we believe that the County, established trail groups and neighbors to the trails can come to a workable agreement to the mutual benefit of all.

Sincerely,

Don Kirchenberg
President, IPPc
Home office 630-682-9297
247 E Lincoln Ave
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
CC: IPPc Board of Directors