DuPage Forest Preserve commissioner outlines $8.5 million Roosevelt Road bridge, grazing pilot and conservation updates in Bartlett

DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner Rick Gieser told the Bartlett Committee of the Whole on July 21 that the district is advancing several local projects, including a planned bridge over Roosevelt Road as part of the 26-mile West Branch River Trail and a grazing pilot to help manage invasive plants.

Gieser said the Roosevelt Road bridge is “an $8,500,000 project” that the district broke ground on in May and is projecting for completion next year. He described the trail as running from Cook County to Joliet and passing through local preserves including Hawk Hollow and Pratt’s Wayne Woods.

The commissioner highlighted a recently opened DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center in Glen Ellyn that expanded rehabilitation and public education space, and described a planned 30,000-square-foot natural resources and facilities campus intended to consolidate about a quarter of the district’s staff into a single, energy-efficient building powered by solar and geothermal systems and using cisterns for vehicle washing.

On invasive-species control, Gieser said the district is “looking into a grazing program” for sites including Hawk Hollow and Pratt’s Wayne Woods that would use sheep, cattle and goats to target different plant types. He described livestock benefits as reducing reliance on chemical herbicides near residences and using hoof action to help germinate seeds and break up soil. Gieser said any grazing would require due diligence, fencing and herding and would likely run from May through October if adopted.

Gieser also gave maintenance figures for recent prescribed burns and brush management: 262 acres in West Branch Forest Preserve, 150 acres at Pratt’s Wayne, 93 acres at Hawk Hollow and 73 acres at Pate Phillips. He said the district schedules invasive brush mowing in winter and is planting oaks and hickories where invasive Callery pear has been removed.

During a public Q&A, residents asked whether livestock might be brought near the golf course or whether bison could be considered; Gieser said the district is looking at other counties’ examples and will evaluate feasibility. Residents also asked staff to examine a longstanding foot-worn path between Jervey and Auburn (through Wayne Grove) for a possible gravel bike/ped connection; Gieser said staff would review maps for protected species and consider signage and interpretive opportunities.

Gieser closed by summarizing district priorities—connecting people to nature, improving regional trail access and protecting natural areas—and offered contact information for follow-up.