Winnebago County Forest Preserve District to Present Roland Olson Forest Preserve Plan

The public is invited to an open house to review a new Master Plan at the Stuga shelterhouse at Roland Olson Forest Preserve, 9669 Atwood Road, Roscoe, IL 61073 on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District has been meeting with neighbors and users of the Roland Olson Forest Preserve, and has formed a Master Plan committee. This committee has met and reviewed goals for the development of the preserve, and has toured the preserve identifying features to be enhanced and areas to be replanted and developed for recreational uses. The culmination of this committee’s work is a preliminary Master Plan to guide the future restoration and development of Roland Olson.

At the Open House, WCFPD management staff will present the plan, timeline for work phases and discuss an opportunity for interested residents to donate to tree planting funds. Comments and questions on the committee’s Master Plan will be welcome.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District
BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 – 5:30PM
District Headquarters

A G E N D A

A. ROLL CALL

B. PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE – Audrey Johnson

C. APPROVAL of MINUTES
Minutes for April 18, May 7, May 9

D. PRESENTATIONS and PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
1. 2011 final audit – Sikich
2. Employee recognition – 35 years – Pat Nolan
3. Propane auto-gas – Buzz Roeske and Tom Giesecke
4. Events planning – Becky Genoways

page
E. ACTION ITEMS
1. 1. Bids – Seward Bluffs overlook
3. 2. IDOT construction easement – Pond & Main

F. BOARD DISCUSSION
1. Strategic planning – Judy Barnard

G. STAFF REPORTS
5. 1. April financial report – Steve Chapman
10. 2. Development – Tom Hartley
11. 3. Golf – Mike Durand

H. CLOSED SESSION
1. Personnel
2. Land acquisition

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and COMMUNICATIONS

J. ADJOURNMENT
Next Board meeting – 5:30 PM Wednesday, June 20, District Headquarters

Catch and release fishing open at new addition property to Four Lakes Forest Preserve.

Click below for an application for the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Junior Golf Program at Atwood Homestead Golf Course Summer 2012.

Junior Golf Program Summer 2012

The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District campgrounds (Hononegah, Sugar River, Seward Bluffs, and Pecatonica) will open Monday, April 16, 2012.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Commissioner Election

An informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:30 pm at WCFPD headquarters, 5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, for individuals interested in running for three positions on the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners.

In the General Election on November 6, 2012 three positions on the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners will be filled. Commissioners are elected at large, non-partisan, and unpaid. One position is the remaining two years of an unexpired four-year term. The other two are full six-year terms. Nomination petitions are available at the County Clerk’s office at 404 Elm Street, Rockford, 61101.
Election Process Timeline
• Nomination petitions require a minimum of 100 signatures.
First day to circulate nominating petitions – March 27 (90 days before last day for filing petition). March 27, 2012

• First day to file nominating petition with Winnebago
County Clerk. 8:00 AM June 18, 2012

• Last day to file nominating petition with Winnebago
County Clerk. 5:00 PM June 25, 2012

• Statement of Economic Interest as required by the Illinois
Governmental Ethics Act must be filed with the Winnebago
County Clerk by the end of the period for filing nomination
Papers. June 25, 2012

• General election. Tuesday, November 6, 2012

• Newly elected Commissioners assume office. Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The horse trails in the Winnebago County Forest Preserves (Deer Run, Oak Ridge, Rockford Rotary, Seward Bluffs, and Sugar River) are open. A Winnebago County Forest Preserve District tag is required on each horse when trails are open.

Kieseilburg Forest Preserve now offers daily use options. Please see application below:

Daily Flyfield Application for 2012

Policy for political signs in the preserves

The following guidelines are hereby established for the placement of political signs on Forest Preserve District property.

Such signs shall not:
• Contain any offensive language or photos.
• Be larger in size than 24 inches x 48 inches.
• Be affixed to any structure, building, post, or tree.
• Impede access to or in any preserve, building or facility.
• Pose or create a safety hazard, such as obstructing visibility of roads in and out of preserves.
• Obstruct or take away from any scenic views in the preserves.
• Prevent the maintenance, such as mowing of grass, in any area.
• Prevent the normal use of any area, such as a golf course or ball field.
• Interfere with any bird or animal habitat, such as nesting grounds.
• Accumulate in large numbers in any one area.

Political election signs (one per candidate in any one area) placed on District property must be removed within 48 hours after the election.

Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners February 15, 2012

Oak Ridge Forest Preserve will be a rest area for bikers attending the Bike MS 2012 on June 23 & 24, 2012. On Saturday, June 23, 2012 more than 2000 men, women and their bicycles will embark on a life-changing two-day journey. The ride will also change lives of the 20,000 people in Illinois affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Bike MS: Tour de Farms, taking place June 23 and June 24, is a 200-mile fundraising bike ride, with riders committed to raising a minimum of $300.

Bike MS: Tour de Farms is a ride, not a race. Riders travel the route at their own pace, following the rules of the road, as they make their way from NIU through the countryside and back. Every 10 to 15 miles, riders will encounter a rest stop manned by volunteers. Each rest stop offers tents, tables, chairs, water, sports drink, snacks, portable toilets, first aid/medical volunteers and bicycle mechanics.

The route has specific open and close times for each of the rest stops and a final close time for the route itself of 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For safety reasons, once the route has closed any rider who has not completed the day’s route will be picked up and brought directly to Northern Illinois University.

Bike MS: Tour de Farms benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Greater Illinois Chapter. The money raised through this event, and others hosted by the Chapter, support advocacy, research, local programs and services that enhance the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis and their families.