Will County Forest Preserve Gets 40 More Acres In Homer Township

HOMER TOWNSHIP, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County just got a bit bigger. A release from the district says their area has grown by 40.15 acres.

The new addition, west of Cedar Road along Spring Creek in Homer Township, brings the district's total land they own, lease and manage up to 21,966 acres.

The purpose of the new addition is to act as a buffer to Spring Creek and to bridge the gap between the Hadley Valley and Messenger Woods preserves. They'll also now be able to link sections of Spring Creek Greenway Trail, located in each preserve, the release says.

Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve's chief operating officer, said while the preserve's large-scale acquisition program has come to a close, "strategic land purchases" will continue.

"There are a number of high priority parcels remaining from our previous programs that would serve to connect forest preserves, extend greenways and trails and buffer existing properties," he added. "We remain committed to the goals set forth in those programs."

The Forest Preserve paid $988,772 for the 40.15 acres.

Eighty percent of that money came from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation Community Grant. In October 2018, the Forest Preserve was granted nearly $1.6 million to parcels along Spring Creek.

The Forest Preserve has until October 2021 to use the remainder of the money to acquire a third parcel.

“The Foundation is pleased to assist with the protection of habitat along the Spring Creek Greenway,” said Dennis O’Brien, Executive Director of Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. “This addition to Hadley Valley Preserve helps advance the Foundation’s goal of expanding existing natural areas for wildlife and for the people of Illinois to enjoy.”