Oak Forest to Benefit in 2015 Forest Preserve Improvement Plan

A campground in Oak Forest will be part of the 2015 Cook County Forest Preserve budget presented by Board President Toni Preckwinkle to the Board of Commissioners Wednesday.

The proposed budget of $187.4 million is balanced without increases to individuals’ or businesses’ property taxes, or to existing fees or fines, according to the Forest Preserve.

A centerpiece of the budget is the expansion of public programming, particularly new and renovated campgrounds in Oak Forest, Calumet City, Willow Springs in the south, and Palatine and Northbrook in the north. The five campgrounds increase the budget by approximately $800,000.

“We believe the new campgrounds and programs in 2015 will attract even more people, and help them connect with nature in meaningful ways,” Preckwinkle said.

The budget includes $6 million for landscape restoration, the largest single line-item in the budget for the second consecutive year, an indication that restoration of natural lands remains a priority.

Fourteen new full-time and 41 new part-time positions are being recommended in the 2015 budget, primarily to support the goals of land restoration and expanded programming.

» more information via the Cook County Forest Preserve District website