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Greenbelt boards report on parks, trails, renewable energy and deer concerns
Summary
Forest Preserve, parks and sustainability boards highlighted trail reroutes, invasive-species removals, an upcoming Buddy Attick Park master-plan phase, a Claggett Farm solar array nearing completion and resident concerns about deer impacts on forest regeneration.
Multiple Greenbelt advisory groups briefed council on parks, trails and sustainability efforts.
Charles Jackman (Advisory Committee on Trees) and Forest Preserve representatives described Arbor Day plantings of roughly 150 native trees and ongoing work controlling invasive species and rerouting eroded trails to prevent erosion. "We planted about 150 small native trees," Jackman said, noting the city maintains a high tree-canopy percentage.
Forest Preserve co‑chairs noted priorities including signage, trail maintenance and a possible new trail in the Sunrise tract near the dog park. Committee members raised deer-population concerns and discussed small experimental exclosures to measure vegetation recovery.
Steve Skolnick reported that the Claggett Farm solar project is near completion and is expected to offset over half of municipal electric costs; the city will receive an invitation for a site visit and possible ribbon-cutting this fall.
Advisory boards urged continued coordination with the National Park Service and regional partners on invasive-species removal, deer management and stewardship of forested parcels. Council encouraged field visits and asked chairs to notify council when projects would benefit from council participation.
Next steps: staff follow-up on signage and trail resources, continued coordination on invasive species and deer studies, and scheduling of a Claggett Farm site visit when the solar installation is finalized.
